The Trump administration will not seek new bids for repairs to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, according to reporting from The Associated Press and TIME.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Sunday that the same contractor involved in the recent renovation would handle the repair work. The pool has faced scrutiny after a recent makeover that included a blue coating, followed by reports of algae, peeling material and alleged damage to the pool lining.
Burgum said the pool would be partially drained so repairs could be completed. He also said officials believe vandalism caused the damage, though critics have questioned the administration’s explanation and the use of no-bid contracting for the project.
The Reflecting Pool, located between the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., is one of the most recognizable public spaces on the National Mall. The latest repairs come after renewed attention to the site ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary events.
Sources:
TIME via Apple News
Associated Press
