Ask Onix
Reflecting Pool gets blue makeover ahead of national milestone
Workers have started applying a blue coating to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC as part of President Donald Trump's campaign to enhance the capital before the United States marks its 250th birthday this summer.
Long-standing issues at historic site
The 2,030-foot (620-meter) pool, which stretches between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has suffered from persistent leaks, structural wear, corroded pipes, algae blooms, and bird waste since its construction in 1922.
Trump stated the project would address the leaks and transform the pool into a more visually striking feature, describing the new hue as "American Flag Blue." Over the weekend, he shared digital renderings of the completed work on social media.
Controversy over cost and contracting
In an April video message from the Oval Office, Trump called the pool "filthy, dirty, and leaky," adding that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum had committed to resolving the issue. Early renovation proposals estimated costs at $300 million (£220 million) and a timeline exceeding three years, with plans to replace the original granite.
Trump claimed he found a more economical solution, enlisting contractors who had previously worked on his private swimming pools. He said the new approach involved cleaning and sealing the existing granite in about two weeks at a cost of $1.5 million to $2 million.
However, the New York Times reported that the administration awarded a $6.9 million no-bid contract to a preferred vendor, citing an emergency exemption. The White House has not responded to requests for comment.
Criticism over bypassing safeguards
Tim Whitehouse, executive director of the nonprofit watchdog Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, told the BBC the project reflects a breakdown in oversight.
"Burgum is sidestepping legal safeguards to fast-track Trump's vanity projects in the capital."
Tim Whitehouse, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
Trump asserted the new coating would last 40 to 50 years without leaks, calling it "far more beautiful" than the original 1922 design.
Broader DC renovation efforts
The blue pool is one of several high-profile projects Trump has pursued in Washington. Plans include constructing a 250-foot victory arch, demolishing the White House East Wing to build a ballroom, and renaming institutions like the Kennedy Center and the Institute of Peace to include his name.
