Latest Breaking News

Scruffy1

(3,566 posts)

39. The architect is now Shalom Baranes.

Tue Jun 30, 2026, 03:11 PM

Tuesday

Kind of strange choice even though it is well respected firm that has a history of historical preservations including the DC post office building. The strange part is that Shalom Baranes is a Jewish immigrant who has spoken out in defense of Islamic immigrants, As far as I know they are not a design build firm, but of course are responsible for construction oversight for the project.
I have never seen a government construction job done like this. The norm is to have a a design competition and selection, and then the plans are made public for competitive biddings. Alternatively the competition could be for design and build which iss often used for things like bridges and some privately held properties.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

41 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Trump is using a $500M no-bid contract to build his White House ballroom [View all] BumRushDaShow Tuesday OP

How is that even legal? bif Tuesday #1

Exactly. OldBaldy1701E Tuesday #7

Yes, he learned after his first term PatSeg Tuesday #12

Not a one of them has been held to account for anything. OldBaldy1701E Tuesday #32

A handful from his first term were held accountable PatSeg Tuesday #34

It isn't UpInArms Tuesday #8

I don't think it is. LisaL Tuesday #17

There are ways to get around advertising Deminpenn Tuesday #19

Remember, "no one is above the law". wink wink chuckle chuckle ha ha HA HA republianmushroom Tuesday #23

"confidential contract" WTF is that? underpants Tuesday #2

An unusual arrangement... displacedvermoter Tuesday #3

Someone should sue his ass for misuse of federal funds mdbl Tuesday #4

America vs trump Rowdyag Tuesday #27

It will have to be torn down. It will be a security nightmare. travelingthrulife Tuesday #5

How so? maxsolomon Tuesday #40

"The office is typically responsible for routine repairs, entertainment expenses, and the purchase of furniture, art" Ray Bruns Tuesday #6

The only "out" I think they have here is that's it's National Security underpants Tuesday #10

A no bid contract will guarantee shoddy work like that performed on the Reflecting Pool. Martin68 Tuesday #9

He was telling the country it would cost $200 million when he had awarded s $500 million contract. SamuelAdams Tuesday #11

Plus he was still telling the country it would be paid for from private donations when he had already Midnight Writer Tuesday #20

Didn't his first announcement about it Quanto Magnus Tuesday #28

Donor money? F...K no! Firestorm49 Tuesday #13

Any comment from John Fetterman? twodogsbarking Tuesday #14

He don't care of Pennsylvania dave99 Tuesday #15

You had me at "He don't care". twodogsbarking Tuesday #33

Where exactly is these money coming from? LisaL Tuesday #16

Guess VanceFan Tuesday #18

Is anyone surprised that this involves shady dealings? WestMichRad Tuesday #21

Just More Stealing Six117 Tuesday #22

What are the odds it will be built? CaptainTruth Tuesday #24

Totally agree. I've thought for a while he will never finish it, for whatever reason LymphocyteLover Tuesday #25

It's currently under construction so some of it's already built. Below grade. maxsolomon Tuesday #41

What's his vig on that? Turbineguy Tuesday #26

When that 500 million is exhausted and it's still Klarkashton Tuesday #29

Just wondering The Wizard Tuesday #30

I don't think it will be built kimbutgar Tuesday #31

Has Congress agreed to any public money being spent on this? muriel_volestrangler Tuesday #35

It was reported that some was redirected from Secret Service funding BumRushDaShow Tuesday #37

Thanks - I do remember that now muriel_volestrangler Tuesday #38

hopefully it gets stopped in 2027. + they have to put up a new east wing. or something smaller. pansypoo53219 Tuesday #36

The architect is now Shalom Baranes. Scruffy1 Tuesday #39