A $16 million national landmark is peeling apart, and the government blames vandals with knives

A $16 million national landmark is peeling apart, and the government blames vandals with knives

The government says someone sliced the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool liner, but critics call the rushed project a massive waste of taxpayer cash.

When we look at our nation's most historic places, we expect to feel pride. Instead, we are looking at a messy, peeling pool and a nasty political fight.

What Happened

Someone sliced the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool with a sharp knife or razor. Park officials say the cuts damaged the new seal on the $16 million project.

Workers also found seventy fence posts thrown into the water. Police are checking out the scene and have made seven arrests so far.

The trouble comes right after a big rush to fix up the pool before the Fourth of July. Now, the new blue paint is already peeling and filling with green algae.

What the money and evidence shows

• $16 million total spent on the pool project.
• $14.7 million paid to paint and waterproof the concrete floor.
• $1.7 million paid for a new water cleaning system.
• 70 fence post tops thrown into the pool.
• 7 arrests, 7 federal citations, and 18 police reports filed.

The Bigger Question

Why did we rush this project in the first place? It feels like we care more about quick photos for holidays than doing public work that lasts.

When the government hands out giant contracts without letting other companies bid, we have to ask who really benefits. Is this about fixing our history, or is it just about politics?

The Other Side

The government says the project was done right but got ruined by bad people. They shared a video of a person reaching into the water and say sick people are trying to destroy public property.

While some damage did happen, the peeling paint started almost right away, which suggests the rush job itself was deeply flawed.

What Happens Now

Workers will drain the giant pool again right after the Fourth of July. Visitors who traveled across the country to see the monument will likely see a dry, empty concrete pit instead.

Taxpayers will also have to wait and see if they have to pay even more money to fix the brand-new mistakes.

What We Still Don't Know

• Did the liner start peeling because of the razor cuts, or was the paint job just bad from the start?
• Why did the government award these giant, multi-million dollar contracts without letting other companies bid?
• Who are the people who were arrested, and what exactly were they caught doing?