President Donald Trump is taking a direct and deeply involved role in efforts to remake the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, reportedly going so far as to personally contact the facility’s maintenance chief for updates on repairs and improvements.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the 79-year-old president has obtained the cellphone number of the head of building maintenance and “calls regularly for updates on fixes at the venerated cultural institution.” The report describes Trump as intensely focused on transforming the iconic Washington arts venue as part of a broader MAGA-driven restructuring.

Plans under discussion would close the Kennedy Center for two years beginning in July, allowing what administration officials describe as a “complete rebuilding” and modernization of the complex. The proposed shutdown is intended to facilitate sweeping renovations and structural changes.

The initiative has generated unease among segments of the public and the arts world. In December, The Athletic reported that the Trump administration takeover has “horrified many in the arts community.” Some performers chose to withdraw from scheduled appearances in protest, while certain longtime patrons opted not to attend events.

The reaction appears to have had a measurable impact. The Wall Street Journal reported that ticket sales earlier this year dropped by 70 percent compared with the same timeframe over the previous three years.