The Trump administration has proposed a roughly 33,000-square-foot underground visitor screening facility in Sherman Park to replace temporary trailers and tents used for White House tours. The NCPC will review the plans on April 2; the project was developed with the Executive Office, U.S. Secret Service, Interior and National Park Service and could begin as early as this fall with a July 2028 completion target. The facility would include multiple entry lanes, a new lobby and a secondary checkpoint to accommodate large groups. NCPC documents do not disclose estimated costs or funding sources; designers plan to preserve the Sherman statue and replace at least six trees with native species while maintaining public access to the park.
White House Proposes Underground 33,000-Sq.-Ft. Visitor Screening Center in Sherman Park
Construction work continues on President Trump's White House East Wing ballroom, as seen from the Washington Monument, on March 8, 2026, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Aaron Schwartz / Getty Images(Aaron Schwartz / Getty Images)
The Trump administration has proposed building an underground visitor screening facility in Sherman Park to process tours and visitors to the White House. The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) is slated to review the plans at its April 2 meeting.
Project Overview
The proposed facility would occupy roughly 33,000 square feet and be constructed entirely on federal land in Sherman Park, southeast of the White House. The design was prepared by the Executive Office of the President in coordination with the U.S. Secret Service, the Interior Department and the National Park Service.
Officials say construction could begin as early as this fall, with a potential completion target of July 2028. The center is intended to streamline access for large tour groups by providing multiple entry lanes for initial ID checks, a new lobby, and a secondary checkpoint.
Current Conditions and Rationale
Until now, visitors have typically gathered in the nearby park and been funneled through temporary security checkpoints housed in trailers and tents. With construction of a new East Wing ballroom underway, those queues have recently been routed to an alternate assembly area in Lafayette Park. Proponents say the new underground facility would replace weather-exposed temporary structures and offer a more modern, efficient visitor experience.
"For far too long, visitors to the White House have had a reduced experience where they were required to begin their tours by entering temporary, double wide trailers and tents outside, often in uncomfortable weather conditions," White House spokesman Davis Ingle told CBS News. "This President took it upon himself to modernize the experience for visitors touring the People's House from beginning to end. President Trump is committed to giving all visitors to the White House the best experience possible. The new Visitor Center will be state of the art in design and highlight the beautiful history of the White House and our Nation's Capital."
Historic, Environmental And Community Considerations
NCPC documents state the commission is working to reduce impacts on historic features and park character. The existing statue of Union General William Tecumseh Sherman would remain in place, and the proposal calls for landscape restoration to "enhance the park's character." At least six trees would be removed as part of the work and replaced with suitable native species and additional landscaping.
Design plans emphasize maintaining public access to Sherman Park and avoiding aboveground structures that would detract from neighboring buildings and monuments.
Costs, Funding And Controversy
The NCPC materials do not include an estimated budget for the project or identify funding sources. The proposal arrives amid broader scrutiny and legal challenges over other Washington construction projects tied to the administration, including the White House East Wing ballroom, a multi-year Kennedy Center renovation, and a proposed triumphal arch.
As the NCPC evaluates the plans, community input and questions about funding, tree removal, and long-term park impacts are likely to shape the debate around the proposal.
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