U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Cruz and Representative Michael Rulli have called for urgent restoration of the Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain in Washington, D.C., citing its historical importance and deteriorating condition.
In a letter addressed to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Cruz and Rulli highlighted that the fountain has been nonfunctional for nearly twenty years. They noted that neglect has led to safety concerns and diminished the plaza’s significance as a public space.
“President Trump deserves credit for his executive orders Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful and Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again. There is no better place to begin restoring civic pride than in Washington, D.C. That is why we write to urge the Department of the Interior to take immediate action to restore the Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain to its original dignity and condition. The Columbus fountain, located in front of Union Station, has long served as a symbolic landmark honoring the spirit of discovery, exploration, and cultural exchange that helped shape our nation.
“Unfortunately, the fountain and plaza have fallen into disrepair. The central fountain has been nonfunctional for nearly two decades, leaving a dry, deteriorating basin where water once flowed as a centerpiece of the monument. This ongoing neglect has diminished the plaza’s aesthetic and historical significance, creating an impression of abandonment in one of Washington’s most prominent public spaces.
“In addition, under Democrat administrations the area had become overrun by drug addicts, the severely mentally ill, and virulently angry, anti-American agitators, creating a safety concern for residents, visitors, and commuters. The monument, once a proud representation of Italian American heritage, is now often obscured by degenerates, clutter, signage, and debris that detract from its intended purpose and historic integrity.
“The plaza deserves to be restored, not only as a matter of preservation but as a reflection of respect for our shared history. We respectfully request that the Department undertake a full restoration of the Columbus fountain, the surrounding plaza, and the landscaping. Ensuring that the monument and its grounds are restored and maintained properly will reaffirm our nation’s commitment to preserving its history with dignity and order.
“We also hope you will consider transferring control of the fountain to the Department of Transportation. Given DOT’s ownership of Union Station, DOT is a more natural fit to manage and oversee security at the plaza which is naturally the station’s entranceway. We intend to introduce legislation that would effectuate this transfer in coming days.
“Please provide an update on any current or planned restoration efforts as soon as possible. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.”
Cruz and Rulli plan legislation aimed at moving oversight from Interior Department control to align management with Union Station operations under DOT authority.
