Exclusive: Firm that worked on past Reflecting Pool renovation passed on Trump project after deeming it ‘unfeasible’

Key Points:

• The company Sika Corporation, which worked on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation in 2010, declined to participate in the recent remodel due to an unfeasible July 4 deadline and the requirement for a blue pool bottom.
• Rhino Linings, known for truck bed linings and water facility coatings, was contracted instead, but less than a month after application, the pool’s blue coating began peeling, sparking controversy and allegations of vandalism.
• The renovation cost escalated from an initial estimate of $1.8 million to $14.7 million, prompting scrutiny from lawmakers like Rep. Robert Garcia, who is demanding transparency from contractors about the project’s failures.
• Experts highlight challenges with the Reflecting Pool’s expansion joints and question the suitability of the polyurea-based Rhino Linings products used, noting that such coatings are unconventional and potentially unsuitable for large historic water basins exposed to sunlight and movement.
• The Department of Justice has reported vandalism involving cutting of the pool’s sealant and throwing fence posts into the water, while officials plan to drain the pool again around July 4 for permanent repairs amid ongoing public and political criticism.