Evidence just keeps mounting about the value of renovation over building new, in terms of cost. The July/August issue of Preservation featured the capitalist-of-all-capitalists Donald Trump in the monthly column The Short Answer. Asked if it’s cheaper to build anew than to adapt an existing structure, Trump responded, “I’ve always found that it’s much cheaper to use an existing structure.”

He continued with what may well be the rub for DC, “Doing so is more complicated, and you actually have to be a better builder to do that kind of work, but if you know what you’re doing, it costs you less money.” Are there developers ready to take up Trump’s challenge of being “a better builder” by taking on the renovation of MLK? We’ll see if any builders start lobbying the Mayor or City Council for the opportunity. Read more about Trump’s thinking on the subject of preservation at www.preservationonline.org.