ORLANDO, Fla. – Construction fencing went up Thursday at the Pulse nightclub site as the city of Orlando continued with plans to build a permanent memorial for the victims of the 2016 mass shooting.
For nearly 10 years, people have visited the site to remember the 49 victims with flags, flowers, and messages.
“It’s been here so long, it should just stay like this and serve as the memorial itself,” says Trudy Verry, who lives near the Pulse site. “I feel like if they did it right after it happened, it wouldn’t have been so controversial. But now, after so long, and after all the chalk stuff that happened, it will be a really really big deal that it will be taken down.”
[WATCH: Crews install fencing at Pulse site ahead of demolition in March]
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
The temporary memorial is now no longer accessible. However, city officials have told News 6 that there’s planned to be a small area where visitors can leave perishable items, such as flowers, as construction continues.
Demolition of the building is anticipated in mid-March as plans move forward for a permanent memorial, according to the city.
A public meeting on the design plans for the permanent memorial is scheduled for 4 p.m. March 5. Residents can review the plans at pulseorlando.org.
[MORE: City of Orlando advances plans for permanent Pulse memorial]