President Donald Trump announced that Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, is covering the full expense of constructing a new granite helipad on the White House South Lawn. The president made the disclosure during a press event in the Oval Office on July 6, stating that the defense contractor agreed to pay for the project after its helicopters caused damage to the grass during recent landings.
Trump described the condition of the lawn as "discolored" and "singed" following the use of the new Marine One fleet. He claimed the company felt responsible for the wear and tear because they had not previously informed the administration of the helicopters' power levels. The president stated that the new pad will feature the White House seal carved into granite, noting that he requested a more aesthetically pleasing design than standard concrete after learning the company was funding the work.
While Trump estimated the project cost at approximately $5 million to $6 million, The Washington Post reported that the total expense is $13 million. This figure includes work on the South Portico and a portion of the driveway. Records indicate that Clark Construction was selected for the project, with an additional $875,000 approved by a White House official on June 30 to cover accelerated construction costs.
Construction began on June 29 and is scheduled to operate around the clock. The timeline is driven by an upcoming state visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24. A letter from Clark division president Jared Oldroyd revealed that the government informed the contractor of the visit in May, requiring a substantial completion date of September 17, 2026.
Clark Construction has been utilized for several other White House projects during Trump's second term, including a $500 million no-bid contract for a new ballroom. The South Lawn area has seen recent modifications, including the installation of a stage for a UFC event earlier this year.
