WATCH: Trump says he won’t demolish Kennedy Center, ‘we’re using the structure’ for renovation

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday he would not demolish the Kennedy Center but said it would have to close for about two years because of work that can’t be done with patrons coming and going for parades and other performances.

Watch the clip in the video player above.

However, Trump’s comments indicated that the interior of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts would be destroyed as part of the process.

the pictures: The Kennedy Center adds Trump’s name to the memorial established by Congress to JFK

“I’m not going to tear it up,” the Republican president told reporters after an unrelated announcement in the Oval Office. “I’m going to use steel. So we’re using structure.”

Such a project would represent Trump’s latest effort to put his mark on a cultural institution designated by Congress as a living memorial to Democratic President Kennedy, in addition to his attempt to leave his mark on Washington through other projects, most notably adding a ballroom to the White House.

Trump announced Sunday on social media that he intends to close the performing arts venue on July 4 for about two years, subject to approval by a board led by several of his allies. Trump is also chairman of the board.

The announcement came after a wave of cancellations by major artists, musicians and groups since the president ousted the previous leadership and his name was added to the building.

Read more: The East Wing of the White House was demolished. Here’s a look at its history

“You want to sit with something for a while before you decide what you want to do,” Trump said, recalling his previous career in construction and real estate.

Speaking about the Kennedy Center, he said: “We sat with him and managed it. It is in very bad condition,” stressing that the building is “dilapidated,” “dilapidated,” and “somewhat dangerous.”

“You can’t do any work because people are coming in and out.”

He estimated the cost at about $200 million, including the use of “high-quality marble, high-quality everything.”

Read more: Trump appointees are questioning the design and size of the White House ballroom, asking to see 3D models

“We’ve got it fully funded, so we’re going to close it down and we’re going to make it unbelievable, so much better than it’s ever been, and we’re going to be able to do it right,” Trump said.

He had said last October, also on social media, that the place would remain open during construction. But he said on Monday that this plan was not feasible.

“I was thinking maybe there would be a way to do it all at once, but there’s actually no way, and we’ll have something when it opens that will be brand new and beautiful,” Trump said.

“The steel will be completely inspected because it will be completely exposed,” he said. “It’s been there for a long time, but as everyone knows it was in very bad shape. It wasn’t in good shape before I got there,” he said. “So we will succeed. I believe there will never be anything like it in the country.”

Trump promised new heating and air conditioning systems as part of his latest construction project. Since his return to the presidency, the Kennedy Center is one of many landmarks in Washington that he sought to repair during his second term.

He has demolished the East Wing of the White House and launched a massive $400 million ballroom project, is actively seeking to build the Arc de Triomphe across the Arlington Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial, and has plans for Washington Dulles International Airport.