The price tag for President Trump's renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has skyrocketed by $11.3 million since its initial announcement, now reaching $13.1 million, according to filings made public Friday. The project, tied to the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations, was originally estimated at $1.8 million for repainting, waterproofing, and joint repairs.
Interior Department records show an additional $6.2 million was tacked onto the existing $6.9 million contract last week, bringing the total to $13.1 million. The work is being handled by Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a Virginia firm that previously serviced pools at Trump's golf club in Sterling, Va., and was awarded a no-bid contract in April under an urgent justification to avoid delays.
The government argued that postponing the project would cause “serious injury,” though no specifics were provided. The timeline targets completion by July 4, in time for the 250th anniversary. An Interior Department spokesperson told The Hill that the increased cost reflects “the effort necessary to expedite the timeline … more people, more materials, more equipment and longer hours.”
The National Park Service is also installing an ozone nanobubbler filtration system and assigning a dedicated maintenance crew, the spokesperson added.
But the project is facing a legal challenge from the Cultural Landscape Foundation and its founder, Charles Birnbaum, who filed a lawsuit last week alleging the blue paint coating being applied alters the historic character of the landmark without proper authorization. The suit claims the National Historic Preservation Act requires consultations before modifying historic properties, and that the government has not met its obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act.
The Trump administration counters that the renovations will improve the pool for visitors and reduce taxpayer costs, noting the structure currently leaks 16 million gallons of water annually. During an Oval Office appearance last month, Trump said the pool would end up “beautiful, beautiful … much better than it ever was, actually.”
The reflecting pool, dedicated in 1922, has undergone multiple renovations over the decades. The current controversy echoes broader tensions over preservation and expedited federal projects. For more on the administration's handling of major projects, see our coverage of the lawsuit challenging the blue paint.
The cost overruns come as Trump faces other political headwinds, including voter anger over his Iran policy and internal feuds that could impact GOP midterm prospects. Meanwhile, the no-bid contract award to a firm with ties to Trump's business interests has drawn scrutiny from ethics watchdogs.
