The inaguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President is set to bring millions to our National Mall. What a better time to highlight the troubles of our nation’s front yard, and the opportunities a new administration and stimulus package could bring. Christopher Knight of the LA Times penns a piece explaining the issues:
Tragically, America’s front yard has gone to seed, its dilapidation over a generation chronicled with increasing regularity in the press, including The Times. The embarrassing disarray represents the larger state of the nation, and the time has come to fix it. Deferred maintenance alone stands at an estimated $350 million — without necessary improvements figured in. The National Mall should be a priority in the rehabilitation of America’s crumbling infrastructure, a target of Obama’s economic stimulus spending.
We may see just that. The House Appropriations Committee’s proposed list of spending includes the Mall, giving “$200 million to address the deterioration of the National Mall, such as repair of the Jefferson Memorial’s collapsing Tidal Basin walls.” Change may be coming to the Mall – though it may not even be enough. We will follow this and update.
Filed under: funding | Tagged: federal policy, national mall, washington dc |
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