The White House is reportedly planning to build a helipad on the South Lawn to mitigate damage from the Marine One helicopters’ frequent landings and takeoffs.
Concern has been raised for years about the damage to the South Lawn’s grass from the much heavier and more powerful VH-92A Patriot helicopter, which is replacing the older VH-3D Sea King to serve as Marine One. President Donald Trump is looking to carry out yet another renovation of the White House, solving this problem by installing a helipad, according to people familiar with the matter speaking with the Wall Street Journal.
A timetable hasn’t yet been established, but the plan is likely to face opposition from liberal groups, which have fought Trump’s other renovation projects.
Davis Ingle, a White House spokesman, told the Washington Examiner: “President Trump has continued to make improvements at the White House and all around D.C. to benefit future presidents and Americans.”
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The VH-92A’s powerful engine emits more exhaust than the VH-3D, which risks burning the grass. The danger has prevented the Marine Corps from flying the new aircraft onto the White House lawn and forced it to continue using the decades-old VH-3D, which was originally planned to be retired this year.
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A helipad is also planned for Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, according to the outlet.
Trump has renovated the White House more than any other president, drawing heavy backlash from critics. In just his first year in office, Trump paved over the Rose Garden, installed a granite walkway along the West Wing Colonnade, installed two new flagpoles on the White House lawn, renovated the Lincoln bathroom, and demolished the East Wing to make way for the construction of a ballroom.
