President Donald Trump has suggested the formation of a new $10 billion fund for construction and beautification projects around Washington D.C., a city he has long-since blasted for being dirty and crime-riddled.
The Presidential Capital Stewardship Program would be overseen by the National Park Service and would coordinate renovations of parts of the U.S. capital including parks and aging infrastructure.
Trump has already expressed interest in bulldozing certain public spaces, including a golf course, which prompted two avid golfers to launch legal action against his administration. Likewise, his desire to construct a huge triumphal arc has also drawn complaints and a separate lawsuit.
“As the capital of the greatest Nation in the history of the world, Washington, D.C., should showcase beautiful, clean, and safe public spaces,” a White House budget document, proposing the program, states.
“However, many historic park features and public-facing infrastructure throughout the city show signs of decay, years of heavy public use, and inadequate maintenance. Under the President’s leadership, the Administration is committed to making Washington, D.C. – a once-great city – safe, clean, and beautiful again.”
Trump has previously called for the clean-up of homeless encampments around the city and the removal of graffiti from monuments in preparation for America’s 250th birthday on July 4 this year.
The budget document adds that the projects “would improve safety and accessibility, rehabilitate historic buildings and landscapes, and enhance architectural grandeur so that Americans can once again be proud of the Nation’s capital.”
The investment is also intended to drive tourism and economic development in Washington D.C. in order to “lower future infrastructure lifecycle costs.”
While Trump’s proposals would address the concerns of local groups about the need for investment, The Washington Post reports that some lawmakers have expressed concern that the president could use it to claim congressional approval on further vanity projects.
Earlier week a judge ordered construction halted on the president’s $400 million luxury ballroom, for which he demolished the historic East Wing of the White House, on the grounds that Trump had not sought permission from Congress.
Reacting to the decision, Trump said District Court Judge Richard Leon was “so wrong,” and that the renovations were being carried out to improve the safety of the building.
The Independent has contacted the White House and the National Park Service for comment about the $10 billion funding proposal.
Some lawmakers, including Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, have questioned why such a large amount of funds would be requested for just one city – citing the need for investment in projects across the nation.
“I’m a ‘hell no’ on giving Trump a blank check for vanity projects,” Merkley, who is the top Democrat on the Senate panel overseeing NPS budgeting, told The Post.
“We support efforts to modernize and repair park infrastructure, but not when it’s paired with massive cuts to Park Service operations,” added John Garder, senior director of budget and appropriations for the National Parks Conservation Association.
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