Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Liner Shows Fading After Recent Renovation
The newly installed protective coating on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool appears noticeably faded and grayer than expected, amid cost overruns and allegations of vandalism.
Washington — Observers from the Washington Monument reported that the protective liner applied to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool this spring looks significantly faded and more gray than when it was first installed in early June. The pool, which was drained for repairs, has had most visible debris cleared after work crews removed it.
The renovation, initially projected to cost $1.5 million, has risen to over $16 million, with Ohio-based Green Water Solutions receiving a $1.7 million contract for a water-purification system and Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings awarded $14.7 million to repaint and waterproof the concrete floor.
President Donald Trump has attributed damage to vandalism, claiming a "350-foot gash" in the liner, though no large cuts were evident from the monument view. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the plan after debris removal is to repair any vandalism and refill the pool.
Court records indicate a June 9 incident was reported to U.S. Park Police involving a sharp object cutting the new liner. Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn pleaded not guilty to charges of deliberately damaging the pool, saying he was instructed by a park worker to examine the peeled sealant. Three additional individuals have been charged with misdemeanors for allegedly removing paint, all of whom also pleaded not guilty.
The reflecting pool project is one of several high-profile initiatives undertaken by the administration in Washington, D.C., including proposals for major construction near the White House and the Lincoln Memorial.