Trump Says 6.5 Million-Gallon Lincoln Reflecting Pool Will Reopen Soon After Repairs
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 14
Trump Says 6.5 Million-Gallon Lincoln Reflecting Pool Will Reopen Soon After Repairs
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 14
Summary
Trump said the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will be "back in service soon" after crews drained it again to repair alleged vandal damage and a leaking basin.
The 6.5 million-gallon pool was first emptied in April after losing at least 16 million gallons a year, then drained again after July 4 so workers could fix the liner.
Three people were charged with destruction of property for allegedly removing pieces of the lining; all pleaded not guilty, including former Olympian David Hearn, 67.
The project has swelled from about $1.5 million to more than $16 million after mid-June completion gave way to algae blooms, peeling liner and another closure.
The latest setback extends a long maintenance struggle at the 1923 landmark, where earlier Obama-era repairs also failed to deliver a lasting fix.