Interior Staff Flag May 22 Lincoln Pool Repairs Over Bubbles and Holes

8 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 12

Government documents show Interior Department staff warned that Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool repairs have developed bubbles, small holes and blotchy blue waterproofing, raising doubts the work will meet a May 22 deadline.
The defects appeared in layers meant to waterproof the pool, and the records say both problems are being addressed even as officials question the speed and quality of the contractor’s work.
Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a Virginia firm hired last month to repair, resurface and paint the pool, was brought in under urgency tied to preparations for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
The scrutiny widened after Trump, who had publicly praised the firm’s work at one of his golf clubs, said Tuesday that Interior awarded the contract and that he did not know or use the contractor.

After a $13M no-bid contract, why is the Lincoln Reflecting Pool's new blue surface already showing significant defects?

Can a controversial blue coating fix the pool's deep-seated leaks, or is it a cosmetic choice ignoring structural problems?

How was a historic landmark's design fundamentally changed while bypassing standard preservation and bidding laws before a national anniversary?