Lincoln Memorial: Trump defeated by algae – green water and spiralling costs
The refurbishment of the Reflecting Pool cost $14.2 million, seven times more than expected. But the algae remain, and the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the United States are drawing nearer
To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington was to be turned ‘American flag blue’ on the orders of Donald Trump. Soaring costs from $1.8 million to $14.2 million, a disputed contract and cutting-edge technology were not enough: within a week, algae had regained control and the water in the monument had turned green along its entire 618-metre length.
Trump has declared war on algae, but the algae are winning. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, the iconic body of water in which the Washington Monument is reflected in the US capital, was due to undergo restoration work and be cleared of algae in preparation for the celebrations marking the American Declaration of Independence.
The president had said that he initially wanted to make the pool floor “turquoise, like in the Bahamas”, but that he had then opted for the colour “American-flag blue”, the colour of the American flag. However, with just a few days to go before the restoration work is due to be completed, the pool remains green.
The works had immediately sparked controversy due to their cost and the fact that the contract had been awarded without a tender process. Trump had initially estimated a cost of $1.8 million to American taxpayers, but by April the contract awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings (a company that had previously restored a swimming pool at one of the president’s golf clubs) had already reached $6.9 million.
According to the American media, the administration had awarded the contract without issuing a call for tenders, thanks to an exemption provided for under federal law, designed to prevent ‘serious harm, financial or otherwise, to the government’. The aim was to complete the work by 4 July. Trump, who had on several occasions boasted that he knew experts in swimming pool refurbishment whom he could contact for the work, later denied on his social media platform Truth that he had had any dealings with the company selected.
