Kennedy Center Faces Imminent Closure Amid Financial Crisis and Safety Concerns

The Kennedy Center in Washington could close its main building as early as Tuesday, according to internal documents obtained by the Washington Post. The institution is facing a severe financial crisis and structural safety risks that have led leadership to warn of a potential fiscal collapse. Internal projections show the center estimated revenues of approximately 124 million dollars for a fiscal year in which 220 million dollars were expected, leaving a deficit of about 23 million dollars even after spending cuts.

Leadership appointed by President Donald Trump argues that the only way to avoid bankruptcy and secure necessary funding is through the public recognition of the president's role in the center's recovery. This proposal includes placing an inscription on the building's facade attributing the renovation and a new donation fund to Trump. This suggestion follows a legal battle in which a federal judge ruled that only Congress can change the center's name and ordered the removal of Trump's name from the building.

Beyond financial woes, the center is dealing with urgent safety issues. A portion of a plaster ceiling fell from a height of 18 meters during a storm on September 4, and inspectors found multiple points of water damage. Engineers reported structural corrosion in a significant number of roof panels, leading executives to conclude that the building is unsafe for continuous occupation.

While center officials attribute the current crisis to decades of neglect by previous management, other reports suggest that the center's association with Donald Trump has led to a drop in ticket sales and the cancellation of performances by various artists. The board of directors is scheduled to meet Tuesday to consider two options: a plan to address the financial situation or the immediate closure of the main building.