White House Announces New Development
The White House is preparing a significant security upgrade that would modernize how visitors are screened before entering the presidential grounds.
According to newly released planning documents submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission, officials are proposing a 33,000-square-foot underground security facility beneath Sherman Park, located near the White House complex in Washington, D.C.
The project would replace temporary visitor screening structures that have been in use for nearly two decades and provide a permanent, modern facility designed to improve both security and visitor flow.
New Security Facility Designed to Improve Visitor Access
Under the proposal, guests attending White House tours or official events would enter the screening area through a ramp located at the southeast corner of 15th Street and E Street, near the Treasury Department.
Visitors would first arrive at a 5,000-square-foot sunken plaza, which planners say is designed to reduce sidewalk congestion and organize crowds before they proceed through security screening.
Inside the underground facility, the United States Secret Service would operate seven dedicated screening lanes, allowing agents to process visitors faster while maintaining the high security standards required around the presidential residence.
The new structure would replace the temporary trailers and tents used for visitor screening since 2005, providing a more permanent and efficient solution.
Additional Building Planned for White House Staff and Contractors
The plans also include a separate 4,000-square-foot structure along East Executive Avenue.
This building would serve as the main entry point for credentialed staff and contractors, while also functioning as the exit location for personnel leaving the White House complex.
Officials say the new layout would help streamline daily operations while improving the flow of people entering and exiting the historic grounds.
Construction Could Begin Soon
If the proposal receives final approval, the administration hopes to break ground later this year.
The facility is expected to become operational by July 2028, around the same time another major project — a new White House ballroom near the East Wing — is scheduled for completion.
Together, the projects represent some of the most significant upgrades to the White House complex in recent decades.
Historic Sherman Monument Will Remain Protected
Despite the planned construction beneath the park, the historic statue honoring Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman will remain untouched.
The monument, located in the center of Sherman Park, was originally dedicated in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Planning documents state the statue will remain fully protected throughout the construction process.
Renovations Spark Debate in Washington
Since beginning his second term, Donald Trump has supported several changes and upgrades to the White House grounds.
Supporters argue the improvements are necessary to modernize the aging infrastructure of one of the most secure and visited government properties in the world.
However, some Democratic lawmakers, historians, and preservation groups have criticized certain projects, claiming the administration has moved forward too quickly and bypassed traditional approval procedures.
A Long-Term Investment in White House Security
White House officials say the underground visitor screening center is ultimately about protecting visitors, improving efficiency, and preparing the historic property for the future.
With millions of tourists and guests visiting the White House area every year, a permanent security facility could help ensure the complex remains both accessible and secure for decades to come.
