Story perspectives

Trump Bypasses Bids, Awards $17.4M Lafayette Park Fountain Contract

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Trump administration invoked an “urgency” exemption to award Clark Construction a no-bid $17.4 million contract to repair Lafayette Park fountains.
Officials said inflation and the nation’s 250th birthday made the higher cost necessary, despite the 2022 $3.3 million estimate prepared by cost estimator Stephen J. Kirk, who called the added millions arbitrary.
President Donald Trump posted a video praising the restoration while the New York Times criticized the contract’s lack of competition.

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Story summary

The Trump administration invoked an “urgency” exemption to award Clark Construction a no-bid $17.4 million contract to repair Lafayette Park fountains.
Officials said inflation and the nation’s 250th birthday made the higher cost necessary, despite the 2022 $3.3 million estimate prepared by cost estimator Stephen J. Kirk, who called the added millions arbitrary.
President Donald Trump posted a video praising the restoration while the New York Times criticized the contract’s lack of competition.