Washington Monument gets $7.5M for repairs

By BRETT ZONGKER | Associated Press – 3 hrs ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — A billionaire history buff has stepped forward to donate a $7.5 million matching gift that's needed to start repairing cracks near the top of the Washington Monument caused by last summer's East Coast earthquake.

Businessman David Rubenstein said he was inspired to help fund the repairs to the 555-foot obelisk when it became clear how severely damaged it was by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake Aug. 23. The National Park Service and nonprofit Trust for the National Mall announced Rubenstein's gift Thursday morning. It is the largest gift to the nonprofit group, which aims to raise $350 million to restore the mall's grounds and facilities.

Rubenstein came forward very soon after the earthquake.

"I would suggest it hadn't even stopped shaking before David Rubenstein came to me and asked if he could help," said National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis said.

http://news.yahoo.com/washington-monument-gets-7-5m-repairs-121314369.html