A controversial renovation project at Washington’s iconic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is facing legal challenges after costs ballooned to more than $13 million — far exceeding the original estimate promoted by President Donald Trump.
Federal records show the project, which involves repairing and repainting the historic reflecting pool, is now expected to cost $13.1 million, despite Trump previously claiming the work would total between $1.5 million and $2 million.
The renovation began over the weekend as part of Trump’s broader effort to “beautify” the nation’s capital ahead of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations.
The reflecting pool, which stretches more than 2,000 feet between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has suffered for years from leaks, algae buildup, deteriorating infrastructure, faulty pipes, and maintenance problems.
Trump defended the project this week, telling reporters the reflecting pool would “work properly” for the first time since 1922 and would ultimately look “more beautiful than ever.”
The administration awarded a no-bid emergency contract worth $6.9 million to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a Virginia company Trump said previously worked on pools at one of his golf properties. Officials bypassed the normal competitive bidding process by invoking emergency procurement rules.
However, updated federal filings now show total project costs have more than doubled from the initial contract value and are over seven times higher than Trump’s public estimate.
The decision has triggered a lawsuit from the Cultural Landscape Foundation, which argues the renovations could permanently alter the historic character of the century-old landmark.
In court filings, the nonprofit accused the administration of ignoring preservation laws designed to protect historic national monuments and requested an immediate halt to the resurfacing work.
“Every day that the resurfacing continues, the historic character of the Reflecting Pool is being further and fundamentally altered,” the lawsuit states.
Questions also remain over whether the rapid renovation can fully address the underlying structural issues that have affected the landmark for decades.
The project is reportedly scheduled for completion by May 22, a dramatically shorter timeline than previous federal estimates that suggested a full restoration could take more than three years and cost as much as $300 million.
Trump recently toured the drained reflecting pool in person, with images showing his motorcade driving directly through the emptied basin during the inspection visit.
The reflecting pool overhaul is the latest in a series of high-profile redesign projects championed by Trump since returning to office. Other proposals include a massive victory arch in Washington and a new ballroom at the White House.
