The FDR memorial in a state of neglect

The Post's Oct. 28 obituary of landscape architect Lawrence Halprin was a thoughtful tribute to a gifted man who gave America many wonderful places, particularly Washington's prized Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial.

Of the FDR Memorial, Mr. Halprin said, "When people tell me they love the memorial, I always have one thing to tell them: You really ought to see it at night." That used to be true -- the lighting was carefully arranged, the waterfalls were illuminated from within and Roosevelt's powerful quotations were highlighted on the massive stone walls. Nighttime at the FDR was one of Washington's jewels.

But no longer. "I can't see anything -- there's no light" was the reaction I heard Wednesday night from a New Jersey middle school student.

She was absolutely right. Many of the light fixtures that are crucial to enjoying, or even navigating, the memorial are burned out. Others have miscolored bulbs that distort. Many of the water cascades are now black pits, wet or even dry, instead of shimmering fountains.

Roosevelt's great quotations -- "I hate war" and "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" -- are hidden in gloom.

This is not new; maintenance has been neglected for years and is getting worse. I'm told there are "consultants" at work on this. But Lawrence Halprin designed a wonderful place, and all it would take to get that glory back is some properly colored light bulbs.

Can't the administration of hope get this fixed?

Philip M. Hocker, Alexandria