Landing pad is completed

Site allows Trump to fly into estate

The helicopter landing pad has been completed at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, a Palm Beach official said Thursday.

The landing pad has passed inspection, and the building permit was closed on Monday, said Karl Swierzko, acting build- ing official for the town of Palm Beach.

The landing pad is on the western lawn of the 20-acre estate and is big enough to accommodate Marine One, the signature green chopper used by presidents, according to plans submitted to the town.

A spokeswoman for Marine One would not say Thursday whether Trump will use the landing pad this weekend when he visits Mar-a-Lago. Air Force One is expected to arrive at Palm Beach International Airport about 6:30 p.m. Friday.

The landing pad will allow Trump to travel by air, instead of by limo, from the airport to the Weekend White House, potentially reducing traffic troubles. The estate is only about four miles from the airport.

The Palm Beach Town Council restricted use of the landing pad to “business related to the presidency.” The pad also can only be used during Trump’s time in office, the council stipulated.

It took about a week to build the landing pad, said Rick Gonzalez, the project’s architect.

Gonzalez, whose office is in West Palm Beach, said he’s worked with Trump for about two decades, doing work at Mar-a-Lago and Trump’s South Florida golf courses.

Mar-a-Lago Club, a private, members-only social club, paid for the work on the landing pad, Gonzalez said. He said he doesn’t know when Trump will start using the helipad.

“I am looking forward to him landing on it — hopefully soon,” he said. “We’ll keep our eyes open.”