The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s new blue liner failed in at least 85 places, with an inspection citing improper materials, trapped moisture, and a refill before the coating had fully cured—so much for the vandalism-only explanation.
The $14.7 million no-bid renovation included workers applying coating the day before water returned, even though it needed 72 hours to dry, and the inspection found peeling, blisters, cracks, and failures along eight of 10 expansion joints. Four people were charged over alleged damage, but those charges were later dismissed; the contractor says it will cover repairs under warranty, while Interior still says AIC is “well on its way” to fixing the pool.