The Trump administration announced that renovations to Washington D.C.’s Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool have been completed, with plans to refill the iconic basin with water by this weekend.
According to the administration, the painting work was finished on Wednesday, transforming the shallow pool to what President Donald Trump describes as “American flag blue.” In a court document, officials stated the water filling process should be completed no later than Sunday.
However, as of Thursday morning, construction equipment remained visible in the empty basin with no water present.
While Trump has estimated the renovation costs between $1.5 million and $2 million, government records reveal contracts totaling at least $14.8 million have been issued for the project. The president first announced the initiative in April during an Oval Office event, explaining that a visiting friend from Germany had criticized the pool’s appearance as dark and unappealing.
This renovation represents another effort by Trump to make lasting changes to the nation’s capital, joining other projects including the demolition of the White House East Wing for a ballroom and proposed construction of an arch connecting the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery.
The historic reflecting pool stretches more than 2,000 feet and serves as a centerpiece between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Originally constructed in the 1920s, the site gained historical significance as the location where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.
Before its current renovation, the basin contained approximately 6.5 million gallons of water, equivalent to about 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools, according to the National Park Service. A previous 2012 upgrade installed circulation and filtration systems that use water from the nearby Tidal Basin rather than the city’s drinking water supply. The region is currently experiencing drought conditions.
Political opponents have criticized the Republican president for focusing on personal projects instead of addressing voter concerns like living costs as the November elections approach. Some critics have also suggested the renovation makes the memorial pool resemble a recreational swimming facility.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation, a Washington-based nonprofit organization, filed a lawsuit last month seeking to halt work on what they called the “dark grey” reflecting pool. The organization argued the new paint color created a “theme park” atmosphere.
No judicial ruling has been issued in the case, but the Trump administration informed the court Wednesday that construction was complete and water filling would begin by Sunday.
The Interior Department, which supervises the Park Service, did not respond to requests for additional information.
