The Trump administration plans to begin draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool for repairs after the July Fourth holiday, marking the second major intervention for the iconic National Mall landmark this year.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the post-Independence Day repairs during television appearances on July 5, defending the troubled project and pledging that the administration won’t seek new contractors. The National Park Service will drain the pool to address damage to the lining, including what administration officials have blamed on vandalism, according to CNN reporting from July 3.
The project has already cost more than $16 million since renovations began in April, according to AP reporting. The Trump administration initially estimated the work would cost $1.8 million to repair leaks and paint the pool bottom “American flag blue.” The price has ballooned as the pool was plagued by algae blooms and peeling paint after the initial restoration.
Burgum told CNN’s “State of the Union” that the same contractor will handle the repairs. “We’ll use the same company, because they did a fantastic job,” he said, adding that vandalism damage could cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair. He expressed confidence in the project’s direction, stating the algae is “all gone.”
The Department of Interior is also soliciting bids for a new long-term maintenance contract to keep the pool clean once repairs are complete. The request for proposals, due by July 8, calls for daily maintenance and cleaning operations beginning in August, according to CNN. The contractor would be responsible for manually removing debris, animal droppings, and leaves daily, as well as cleaning filters and skimmers.
Under the maintenance plan, the pool would be drained annually for a two-week period in February or March for thorough cleaning and inspection. The request for bids describes the material at the pool’s bottom as “slick and nasty” and notes it’s a combination of wet leaves and bird and duck droppings that must be kept wet for respiratory safety reasons.
The administration has also installed a $1.7 million “ozone nanobubbler” system designed to purify water by shooting oxygen into bubbles that break down algae and contaminants. Earlier efforts to combat algae included dumping gallons of hydrogen peroxide into the pool in mid-June, according to CNN reporting.
The Reflecting Pool project has faced scrutiny over no-bid contracts awarded to vendors with prior ties to Trump. Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings received $14.7 million to repaint and waterproof the pool’s concrete floor, while Ohio-based Green Water Solutions was given $1.7 million for the water-purification system. A company involved in previous Reflecting Pool renovations declined to bid, citing the July 4 deadline and the requirement to paint the bottom blue as making the job “unfeasible,” according to CNN reporting from June 25.
Authorities have arrested more than a half dozen people in connection with pool damage, including former Olympian David Hearn, who was indicted on felony property destruction charges. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Hearn ripped up recently installed sealant, causing more than $1,000 in damage.
Sources
- CNN — Details on post-July 4th draining and repair plans, maintenance contract solicitation, daily cleaning requirements, annual draining schedule, and hydrogen peroxide algae treatment efforts.
- AP News — Burgum’s defense of the project, decision not to seek new bids, announcement that algae is gone, total project cost exceeding $16 million, details on no-bid contracts, and information on David Hearn’s indictment and charges.
- The Hill — Burgum’s statement that algae in the pool is “all gone.”
