Chairman Cruz, Rep. Rulli: Fix Christopher Columbus Fountain

Want fountain and plaza control transferred to Union Station

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Michael Rulli (R-Ohio) are pushing for immediate action to restore the Christopher Columbus Circle to preserve its historical significance and refurbish one of the city's oldest memorials. The call for action comes as President Trump signed a proclamation reclaiming Columbus Day and recognizing the legacy of Christopher Columbus.

In the letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Sen. Cruz and Rep. Rulli emphasized the symbolic significance of the fountain, which greets travelers and commuters arriving in the city by rail. However, the fountain has been broken for two decades, and the surrounding plaza has suffered from persistent neglect, creating an unsafe and unwelcoming space for residents, commuters, and visitors alike.

To address these concerns, Sen. Cruz and Rep. Rulli also plan to introduce legislation that transfers control of Columbus Circle to the Department of Transportation (DOT). Currently, DOT has ownership of Union Station, making it a more natural fit to manage and oversee security of the plaza and fountain.

Read the full letter here or below:

"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 the transfer in the 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."

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