Immediately after Air Force One departed for the New Jersey golf course where President Trump will spend his 17-day vacation, the White House shut down the air-conditioning in the West Wing and turned the executive building into a construction site.
However, this one looks to be a much larger overhaul than fixes done previous. Reports cite numerous cosmetic fixes with carpets and paint, in addition to larger structural concerns with cracked staircases, a complete overhaul to the facility’s IT system and replacing an overworked HVAC system that runs 24/7.
A White House spokesperson told Town & Country magazine that the work done by the General Service Administration will include the following renovations:
- Refurbishing cracked stairs leading into the White House from the South Lawn, which have not been restored in 64 years
- Performing exterior electricity upgrades, power-washing, and resurfacing an exterior door
- Upgrading the HVAC system, which is 27 years old and runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Fixing leaks in the lower press area of the West Wing
- Renovating the kitchen of the Navy Mess
- Painting and renovating to freshen up the colors and switching out curtains and carpets
- Removing temporary stairs by the press briefing room
An estimated $3.4 million will be required in total for all of the restorations. The retrofitters will punch the clock for at least another two weeks while President Trump and his employees are away.
