WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump is set on renovating Washington, D.C. He’s already demoed the East Wing of the White House to build a ballroom and an arts commission recently approved a “triumphal arch” to be constructed near Arlington National Cemetery. Another iconic spot along the National Mall is also going through major changes.
In between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument is the Reflecting Pool. It’s one of the most recognizable sites in Washington. For decades, the pool has run into issues with leakage and algae. It was last renovated 14 years ago for 30-million dollars to address these issues.
In April, the President announced he wants to make changes to the pool. Crews drained the water and began renovation work.
“So, we’re putting a beautiful surface on it’s called- the coloring is like a swimming pool but industrial strength much stronger,” said the President. “And you’ll have no leak, guaranteed no leak.” He adds the color was “gray stone underneath”. “Now we actually picked the color. It’s called American flag blue.”
The project has run into problems. The New York Times reports Interior Department staff members have raised questions about the quality and speed of the waterproofing work. They also report the Administration awarded a no-bid contract to renovate and paint the pool blue. The project is also taking longer than initially planned plus the costs have ballooned from an initial $1.8-million to now nearly $20-million dollar project.
DC visitors have mixed feelings towards the President’s project.
“I’m disappointed,” said visitors Kim and Sophia. “I was here three years ago. It was beautiful to see it the way it was so it’s disappointing for she and I to be here and that’s going on.”
“We’re actually going to love it,” said David Abschneider, visiting DC. “We’ll make a trip back whenever it’s completed. We’ve been here before with the Reflecting Pool and we’ve loved it back then before it got nasty but anyway- anything our President is doing to improve this capital city and to make it safer, we love it.”
“I like the blue color but I also think – it’s mainly because I like the color blue,” said Camera Azar, visiting DC. “But I also think its unnecessary to paint the entire thing, to redo the entire thing blue instead of just cleaning it and make sure it’s all tidy.”
“My problem isn’t with the tradition, this wasn’t run by the federal review board under the National Historic Preservation Act and it was given to a no-bid contractor,” said Alex Azar, who is also visiting DC.
A lawsuit has been filed against the administration to stop painting the pool. They claim the color is the main issue with the work being done and add the pool was designed that way to give the illusion of greater depth and a more profound reflection, not like a large swimming pool.
