Kennedy Center put off planned repairs despite known structural issues, former employees allege

Former Kennedy Center employees claim the performing arts venue's officials were aware of serious structural issues before the decision to close it this month, despite having funds to address them. A letter to Congress alleges that the executive director and chief operating officer, Matt Floca, did not prioritize the roofing issues and halted a funded plan to fix them in April.

Floca denies the allegations, stating that recent investigations exposed new hazards at the building. However, former employees argue that these "acute" problems were known to Floca previously, and he received funds to remediate them a year ago. The letter cites a $257 million congressional appropriation for the Kennedy Center. The center's leadership must now give a status report on the temporary closure and emergency repairs.