"The Cultural Landscape Foundation said the administration's moves to repaint the bottom of the Reflecting Pool blue without undergoing relevant reviews ran afoul to federal preservation laws governing historic sites. The group argued that the changes at the Reflecting Pool are part of President Donald Trump's broader effort to push through dramatic renovations in Washington without proper reviews and undermine the tone of the area."
""The design intent, to create a reflective surface that is subordinate, is fundamental to the solemn and hallowed visual and spatial connection between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial," said Charles A. Birnbaum, the group's president and CEO, said in a statement. "A blue-tinted basin is more appropriate to a resort or theme park.""
"Trump has taken a personal interest in the project, calling the area "filthy" before workers repainted the Reflecting Pool a color he has called "American flag blue." His motorcade was driven over a drained and repainted Reflecting Pool last week to give him a chance for a firsthand review of the project."
"Katie Martin, an Interior Department spokeswoman, said in a statement that Trump "has done more to make our nation's capital a shining beacon than any other president in the history of this country." "The Department is proud of the work being carried out by our Park Service to ensure this magical spot can be enjoyed for not only our 250th, but for many generations to come," she said."
A Washington-based nonprofit asked a judge to halt work on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and restore historic features. The Cultural Landscape Foundation said repainting the pool’s bottom blue occurred without required reviews under federal preservation laws for historic sites. The group argued the changes conflict with the original design intent that the reflecting surface remain subordinate to preserve the solemn visual connection between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The nonprofit criticized the blue tint as more suited to a resort or theme park. The lawsuit targets the Interior Department and the National Park Service. The Trump administration defended the renovations, and Trump personally criticized the area before repainting, including driving his motorcade over the drained pool for an on-site review.
#historic-preservation-law #national-mall-renovations #lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool #us-department-of-the-interior #national-park-service
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