Ask Onix
Costs surge for Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool repairs
A project to restore the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., initially estimated by President Donald Trump to cost up to $2 million, is now projected to reach $13.1 million, according to federal records.
No-bid contract draws criticism and legal challenge
The contract was awarded without competitive bidding to a Virginia-based company, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, using an exemption typically reserved for emergencies. Critics argue the decision circumvents federal requirements for competing offers.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation filed a lawsuit on Monday to halt the renovations, contending that Trump ignored laws protecting historical landmarks. The group's legal filing states, "Every day that the resurfacing continues, the historic character of the Reflecting Pool is being further and fundamentally altered."
Trump defends project amid timeline and cost concerns
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump claimed the pool would "work properly for the first time since 1922" following the renovations. He distanced himself from the contract process, posting on Truth Social that the Department of the Interior awarded the work "to a contractor I did not know, and have never used before."
However, last month, Trump stated he bypassed traditional bidding to pursue a "better way" of completing the project, estimating costs between $1.5 million and $2 million. He mentioned consulting contractors he had previously worked with, saying, "I said, what we're going to do is I'm going to call all three of these people that have worked for me in the past, doing swimming pools."
History of issues and accelerated timeline
The Reflecting Pool, spanning 2,030 feet between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has long suffered from leaks, structural deterioration, algae growth, and faulty pipes. A $34 million renovation between 2010 and 2012 under President Barack Obama introduced a new circulation and filtration system, but problems persisted.
The current project, part of Trump's efforts to beautify the capital ahead of America's 250th anniversary celebrations this summer, is set for completion by May 22-just in time for the July 4 semiquincentennial.
Broader context of Trump's Washington projects
The Reflecting Pool renovation is one of several high-profile projects Trump has undertaken since returning to Washington. Others include plans to construct a 250-foot victory arch, demolishing the White House East Wing to build a ballroom, and adding his name to institutions like the Kennedy Center and the U.S. Institute of Peace.
