Draft assessment says painting Eisenhower building would harm historic character

A draft federal environmental assessment says President Trump’s plan to paint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building white would diminish the historic character of the 19th-century landmark and disrupt its visual relationship with the Treasury building and White House. The administration’s report says the building’s granite was selected by its architect as central to its original design, though it finds the proposed mineral-silicate paint is unlikely to trap moisture and preliminary tests suggest it may be removable with minimal damage. Preservationists and other critics have warned that painting could harm the stone, while the assessment says an alternative plan to clean and restore the building and improve its lighting would not affect its historic character. Despite the assessment’s conclusion about the harm to the landmark’s character, the White House still wants the painting to proceed.