US President Donald Trump’s plan to renovate the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington D.C. for its 250th anniversary has turned into a disaster. The $14.7-million renovation, intended to make the pool “beautiful” in blue, instead turned it green due to algae growth and paint peeling. This debacle has led to at least six arrests and questions about the state of the pool just days before July 4 celebrations.
The reflecting pool was built in the 1920s and has been causing problems for over a century due to its swampland location, which causes it to sink and lead to pipe cracks. The National Park Service attempted to fix these issues with an 18-month project that started under former President Barack Obama. However, after reopening in 2012, the pool needed to be drained again within weeks due to algae growth.
Trump’s administration allocated $14 million for the renovation, but it appears that some of this money has gone to unqualified contractors and vendors. The use of hydrogen peroxide to treat the algae may have contributed to the peeling paint problem. Trump has falsely accused vandals of damaging the pool, claiming they used fertilizer and cut a 350-foot slit in the water.
Despite Trump’s claims, many experts and officials question the validity of these allegations, citing lack of evidence and security footage. The issue has sparked outrage among some who call for accountability from the administration. With tensions rising ahead of the July 4 celebrations, it remains to be seen how this fiasco will be resolved.
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world