The National Mall—known as America’s front yard—is being targeted for a massive rehab and restoration that could cost as much as $700 million (it’s estimated that the Mall has $400 million in deferred maintenance alone). Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis signed the official “record of decision” for the National Park Service's long-range plan for the Mall’s development and conservation on November 9, 2010.
Projects on the agenda include:
Refurbishing the Grant Memorial
Replacing the Capitol Reflecting Pool with a smaller pool or fountain
Building a welcome plaza near the Smithsonian Metro station
Rebuilding the Tidal Basin seawalls and walkways
Reconstructing the Constitution Gardens lake and constructing a multipurpose visitor center
Replacing the Sylvan Theater near the Washington Monument with a new multipurpose facility
Paving gravel walkways and reengineering grass turf areas.