politics
Judge Orders Report on Kennedy Center Tarp by July 31
A federal judge directed the Kennedy Center to file a status report explaining the tarp and scaffolding still covering the building's facade. The order follows removal of a sign added earlier this month and sets a deadline tied to the next board meeting or the end of July.
Jun 24, 1:47 PM·2m read4 sources
Washington ExaminerAudio version
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A federal judge ordered the Kennedy Center to submit a report by July 31 explaining the purpose and status of a tarp and scaffolding covering the building's front sign. The order follows the removal of a sign added to the facade earlier this month after a court found the addition unlawful.
The judge had previously ruled that the Kennedy Center trustees bypassed Congress by adding the sign without legislative approval. Workers removed the sign in a predawn operation after the June 12 deadline had passed. The same ruling temporarily blocked a planned two-year renovation that was set to begin July 5.
A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center said the tarp remains in place to allow workers to repair the marble facade around the building's sign. The court document states the joint status report must also address any plans for future construction and operations at the center.
A member of Congress said in a court filing that the tarp demonstrated petty defiance of the order. The administration is actively appealing the judge's order. Kennedy Center leadership said there is no plan to schedule or host new performances while the building remains open to the public.
>"The joint status report shall apprise the Court of any pertinent factual developments as to plans for future construction and operations at the Kennedy Center. " — Court document U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ordered the removal of the sign last month in response to a lawsuit filed by Rep.
Joyce Beatty (D-OH). The Kennedy Center ultimately complied with the order, but workers did not remove the sign until hours after the court-ordered June 12 deadline had passed. The judge determined the Kennedy Center trustees bypassed Congress by adding the sign without legislative approval.
In his initial order, Cooper also temporarily blocked the Kennedy Center from closing for a planned two-year renovation that would have started on July 5. In response, the Kennedy Center's leadership said there is no plan to schedule or host any new performances at the theater while remaining open to the public.
