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Work Underway To Return The Shine To Thomas Jefferson Memorial

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Published Date

February 9, 2019

Work is underway to repair and clean the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C./NPS graphic

Having identified a process for removing a "biofilm" from the roof of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., the National Park Service is embarking on a 15-month project to clean both the roof and the marble of the memorial. The memorial will remain open for the duration of the project, although some areas will be inaccessible.

The roof restoration and repair will consist of replacing the two flat upper and lower roofs that circle the dome to keep the building watertight and dry. Additionally, the large marble “tiles” covering the portico, the dramatic front entry that projects towards the Tidal Basin, will be lifted to replace the deteriorated water-proofing below. Stone will also be repaired under the portico and along the colonnade ceilings. Improvements to roof drains, downspouts, and gutters will also be completed.

Cleaning the visible marble on the dome and roof of the memorial will utilize specialized lasers to remove the black biofilm (a microbial colony of algae, fungi and bacteria) seen growing on upper portions of the memorial. The biofilm was first noticed in discrete areas of the white marble in 2006 and has become more pronounced in recent years. The National Park Service studied this growth since 2014 to determine the best treatment options.

Access to the front of the memorial, including the steps, accessible route, chamber with the statue of Thomas Jefferson, exhibit area, restrooms and elevator will remain open to the public during the construction. The east side of the memorial will be closed for construction staging.
 
The contract for this work was awarded on September 19, 2018, to Grunley Construction for $8.75 million. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial roof replacement, stone repair and biofilm removal project expected to be complete by May 2020.
 

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