ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando city leaders on Monday approved a funding deal to permanently honor the 49 lives taken in the Pulse Nightclub mass shooting.
Monday’s vote finally sets the Pulse Memorial in motion. If the $12 million plan passes, the design phase could start within weeks.
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The plan is a partnership between the city and Orange County. Orlando is committing $7 million while Orange County has pledged $5 million spread over three annual payments.
[WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE BELOW: Orlando City Council on key steps for permanent Pulse memorial]
“It’s time. It’s time that there is a memorial. It’s time,” Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said.
Renderings already show features families have asked for: a welcome center, tribute wall, and 49 columns for the 49 killed.
Gomez Construction Company will be the construction firm that will design and build the memorial. Gomez Construction previously helped build the Pulse memorial garden at Orlando Health in 2016.
As part of the deal, design work must start by October, with construction expected to begin in 2026.
[WATCH BELOW: Orange County agrees to $5M request for Orlando Pulse Memorial]
Orlando city leaders told county commissioners earlier this summer they’re confident the project is now on the right track. The goal is to finish by the end of 2027.
The proposed memorial design stems from over a year of planning by the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee and public input.
The city bought the Pulse property in 2023 with the goal of building a memorial, after years of waiting for the nonprofit onePulse Foundation to finish the project.
City leaders said the goal is to create a lasting space of remembrance that honors the 49 victims, supports survivors and reflects the resilience of the entire community.
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The vote comes after the recent controversy over the removal of the rainbow crosswalk outside of Pulse, and the recent painting over artwork on some city storm drains.
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