Pulse Nightclub To Be Turned Into Memorial

By
News Talk Florida
-

Orlando To Buy Pulse Nightclub

The City of Orlando has reached a deal to buy Pulse Nightclub for $2.25 million. The city plans to turn the place of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history into a memorial.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told the Orlando Sentinel that the city won’t rush to build the memorial and the site should probably remain as is for the next 12-18 months.

Supporters of the victims of the recent mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub attend a vigil at Lake Eola Park, Sunday, June 19, 2016, Orlando, Fla. Tens of thousands of people attended the vigil. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Supporters of the victims of the recent mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub attend a vigil at Lake Eola Park, Sunday, June 19, 2016, Orlando, Fla. Tens of thousands of people attended the vigil. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The city plans to turn to the public for advice on how the memorial should proceed. Dyer said the city hasn’t ruled out leaving part of the nightclub permanently intact, such as the roadside sign bearing the iconic Pulse logo.

Dyer said the city’s ultimate goal is to  “create something to honor the memory of the victims that are deceased [and] those that were injured, and a testament to the resilience of our community.”

The sales contract was signed by Rosario Poma, who owns the club with his wife Barbara, on Friday. The price negotiated is $600,000 more than the $1.65 million appraised value of the nightclub.

Orlando’s City Council will weigh in on the project next week, they have final say on the deal.

The 4,500-square-foot building has been empty since June 12 when a gunman opened fire during a Latin-themed dance party, killing 49 people and wounding dozens.

In this photo taken June 12, 2016, Orlando Police officers direct family members away from a shooting involving multiple fatalities at the Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Fla. The Justice Department said Friday, July 15, 2016, that it will review the Orlando Police Department's response to the attack last month at a gay nightclub. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
In this photo taken June 12, 2016, Orlando Police officers direct family members away from a shooting involving multiple fatalities at the Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Fla. The Justice Department said Friday, July 15, 2016, that it will review the Orlando Police Department’s response to the attack last month at a gay nightclub. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Since the tragic event mourners have steadily visited the site bringing photos, notes, stuffed animals and other remembrances. Most of the items left have been collected for preservation by the Orange County Regional History Center.

Dyer said purchasing the property will help with security since the nightclub has been broken into about once a month since the tragedy. Sometimes visitors cause disruptions to nearby businesses and residents as well, disruptions along the lines of parking troubles, crowding sidewalks and prompting safety concerns.