Trump-funded renovation of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool completed at $14.2 million
The 104-year-old reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial has been renovated using a $14.2 million contract awarded without competition, prompting mixed reactions from visitors and questions about cost and contractor selection.
The reflecting pool surrounding the Lincoln Memorial has been reopened after a renovation that cost $14.2 million, far above the $1.8 million originally projected. The project was awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings Ltd, a Virginia firm that previously worked on former President Trump’s golf resort and had no prior government contracts.
Visitors on the pool’s first day noted the water’s blue hue, described in project specifications as “American flag blue,” and observed workers cleaning algae from the basin. Katie Martin, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of the Interior, told CNN that residual algae were expected after weeks of construction and that a new nanobubbler filtration system had been installed to prevent future growth.
Public response was mixed. Lara Harvey, a resident of Bethesda, said she was impressed with the pool’s appearance, while Washington resident Kyra Brown said the changes were not noticeable and questioned the $14 million price tag. The renovation’s procurement process has also drawn scrutiny, with reports that the contract was granted without a competitive bid.
Former President Trump promoted the work on his social platform, claiming the materials used were “industrial strength” and could endure for a century. He also highlighted his personal involvement in selecting the contractor, recalling a conversation in which the contractor offered to undertake the project.
