The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is officially open again, and the reveal came with a glass enclosure and some serious sticker shock. Trump made the announcement on Nov. 2, the day before the midterms, speaking from inside an elevated protective enclosure. The project was originally pitched at $1.5 million to $2 million, but federal records show more than $16 million awarded, with another $2.7 million added in September.
June’s first reopening didn’t last, with algae turning the water green and the blue coating peeling off within days. Trump blamed vandals and previous administrations. Federal prosecutors instead pointed to faulty workmanship and dropped charges against a former Olympic canoeist. Experts are also warning the dark coating could raise water temperatures and bring the algae right back next summer.
So the pool is open, the bill is historic, and the glass box is doing numbers online. Was the reveal worth the price tag? Drop your take in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.