The White House is moving forward with plans to construct a new underground visitor screening facility on the South Lawn. The project, which has been under discussion for years, aims to enhance security by moving the screening process for public tours away from the current above-ground pavilions.
According to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), which reviewed preliminary concepts in late 2025, the proposed center would be built beneath the South Lawn. This would consolidate security screening and allow for a more secure and efficient visitor experience while reducing the need for temporary street closures and security barriers on surrounding public sidewalks.
The initiative responds to longstanding security concerns, with officials noting that the current above-ground screening structures are visually intrusive and create vulnerabilities. The project is still in the planning and federal review stages, with a final design and construction timeline yet to be finalized and funded by Congress.
