Water is once again flowing into the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after months of repairs prompted by a massive algae bloom and problems with a multimillion-dollar sealant project.
Dozens of inlets along the sides of the more than 2,000-foot-long pool are slowly refilling it as National Park Service personnel monitor the process.
President Donald Trump had hoped the pool would be ready for the nation’s 250th anniversary in July, but algae problems forced officials to drain it and undertake the sealant project.
After the work was completed, the sealant began peeling from the bottom of the pool.
The peeling led to allegations of vandalism and the arrest and indictment of David Hearn of Bethesda, Maryland, a former Olympian. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said video showed Hearn “aggressively” pulling up the coating. Hearn said he merely picked up a piece of paint floating on the water.
The charges were later dropped after prosecutors acknowledged the damage was caused by a bungled installation rather than vandalism.
Visitors at the Reflecting Pool on Monday welcomed the progress.
“It’s reflecting again, so that’s good,” Conner, who was visiting D.C. from Germany and has been keeping up to date on the information regarding the issue, told WTOP. “I think it’s very nice now that you can see the reflection again.”
Tim of Texas said he approved of the work.
“I think it’s going to look a lot better than it did,” he said.
Asked whether the algae infestation could return, Tim told WTOP:
“It’s always possible,” he said. “If it does, that’s just another accident that happened. Nobody intended for it to be like it was.”
Scott, visiting from Florida, told WTOP the Reflecting Pool looks “great.”
“That’s the reason why I came, to see it done and enjoy our nation’s capital,” he said.
Scott questioned why the issue became such a contentious political issue.
“It doesn’t matter who the president is; this is where we come as United States citizens, as taxpayers. We should be able to enjoy it,” he said.
Source
