Good question, and it's one I've been getting quite a bit lately. The short version is that it really comes down to expectations. If you're set on photos with the Jefferson Memorial, then it could be a problem because the construction is visible in many vantage points near the Jefferson Memorial. But for more generally enjoying the cherry blossoms, not so much. It's only in one corner of the Tidal Basin, and while there were roughly 100-200 trees removed (to be replaced), there are still something like 2700 untouched.
I made a preliminary attempt to address it here (part way down the post):
But I'll try to post in the next few days a more comprehensive version.
As for whether to wait a year . . . The project is expected to wrap up next year, but as we know, deadlines on these things has a tendency to slip. So who knows? They look to be making good progress right now, but I don't know how that holds up with the wrap-up schedule. And one consideration that is both a plus and a potential minus for next year is that there will be a lot of 250th celebrations around the Mall. That's good for stuff to see and do that could make it an even more special trip than a normal year, but it will also bring big crowds and more competition for hotels etc. Construction at the Lincoln Memorial etc should also be done next year sometime.
Do you think the sea wall project will negatively impact the experience such that we'd be better off waiting a year?
Good question, and it's one I've been getting quite a bit lately. The short version is that it really comes down to expectations. If you're set on photos with the Jefferson Memorial, then it could be a problem because the construction is visible in many vantage points near the Jefferson Memorial. But for more generally enjoying the cherry blossoms, not so much. It's only in one corner of the Tidal Basin, and while there were roughly 100-200 trees removed (to be replaced), there are still something like 2700 untouched.
I made a preliminary attempt to address it here (part way down the post):
https://cherryblossomwatch.com/cherry-blossom-watch-update-march-3-2025/
But I'll try to post in the next few days a more comprehensive version.
As for whether to wait a year . . . The project is expected to wrap up next year, but as we know, deadlines on these things has a tendency to slip. So who knows? They look to be making good progress right now, but I don't know how that holds up with the wrap-up schedule. And one consideration that is both a plus and a potential minus for next year is that there will be a lot of 250th celebrations around the Mall. That's good for stuff to see and do that could make it an even more special trip than a normal year, but it will also bring big crowds and more competition for hotels etc. Construction at the Lincoln Memorial etc should also be done next year sometime.