The White House has submitted plans to construct a 33,000-square-foot underground visitor screening facility beneath nearby Sherman Park, according to documents published by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC).

The proposed building would screen visitors entering the White House grounds for tours and events, replacing temporary trailers and tents used by the U.S. Secret Service since 2005. Plans indicate visitors would access the security facility via a ramp at the southeast corner of 15th Street and E Street, near the Treasury Department.

A 5,000-square-foot sunken plaza is intended to reduce congestion on the adjacent sidewalk. The building would feature seven screening lanes. A separate 4,000-square-foot building along East Executive Avenue would serve as the entry point for badged staff and contractors, as well as an exit point for those leaving the grounds.

The submission states the General William Tecumseh Sherman bronze statue, dedicated in October 1903 by former President Teddy Roosevelt, would remain protected in the park's center. The White House hopes to break ground on the project later this year and have it operational by July 2028, coinciding with the planned completion of a new ballroom on the East Wing.

The plans are expected to be formally unveiled at the NCPC's next meeting. The commission is also set to decide on the ballroom project at that time, after delaying a vote earlier this month.

What the Right Is Saying

The Trump administration has framed the renovations as necessary improvements to security and functionality. The White House notes that the temporary screening trailers have been in use for nearly two decades, and the new facility would provide a permanent solution to manage visitor flow.

Administration officials have emphasized that the projects are intended to modernize the presidential residence while preserving its historical character. The submission documents indicate that the Sherman statue will remain protected, and the plans have been submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission for review.

What the Left Is Saying

Democratic lawmakers and preservation groups have criticized the Trump administration's approach to White House renovations, arguing the administration has bypassed traditional permitting, zoning and approval processes. Critics have raised concerns about the pace and scope of changes to the historic property, including the paving over of the Rose Garden.

Representatives from preservation organizations have questioned whether adequate public input and historical review has been sought for the various projects. Some Democratic members of Congress have called for greater transparency in the decision-making process surrounding modifications to the White House grounds.

What the Numbers Show

The proposed visitor screening facility spans 33,000 square feet beneath Sherman Park. The sunken plaza for visitor queuing covers 5,000 square feet. A separate staff and contractor building along East Executive Avenue adds another 4,000 square feet.

The current temporary screening setup has been in place since 2005 — a period of 21 years. The project timeline calls for groundbreaking later this year, with operational readiness targeted for July 2028.

The NCPC is scheduled to review both the visitor screening facility plans and the East Wing ballroom project at its upcoming meeting. The commission had delayed its vote on the ballroom project earlier this month.

The Bottom Line

The proposed underground facility represents a significant permanent infrastructure addition to the White House complex, replacing two decades of temporary structures. The project requires approval from the National Capital Planning Commission before proceeding.

The timing aligns with other major renovations underway at the presidential residence, including the East Wing ballroom expansion. The administration faces ongoing scrutiny from preservation advocates and Democratic lawmakers over its approach to modifying the historic property.

The Sherman statue's continued protection reflects an effort to balance modernization with preservation of existing monuments on the grounds. NCPC's upcoming decision will be a key milestone determining whether the project can move forward as proposed.