Orlando City Council to Decide on Construction of Pulse Memorial Amid Survivor Concerns

The Orlando City Council is planning to cast their vote on Monday, October 12, regarding a $12.6 million construction agreement with Gomez Construction Company for the Pulse Memorial, which has been long-awaited by the community.

If the contract is approved, the construction is expected to commence this fall and wrap up by late 2027. Financial backing for the memorial has reached $1.75 million from six community partners, namely the DeVos Family Foundation, Dr. Phillips Charities, Orlando Health, Universal Destinations & Experiences, Wilf Family Foundations, and Walt Disney World Resort, alongside contributions from Orange County and the State of Florida.

This memorial aims to pay tribute to the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub tragedy on June 12, 2016. Its design was shaped by insights from a diverse 18-member advisory committee, comprising survivors, family members of victims, and community representatives. Notably, a passage from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Sonnet to Orlando will feature on the memorial’s Survivor Wall.

Despite these plans, there has been pushback from some survivors. In a Facebook message, the Pulse Families and Survivors for Justice group criticized both the city’s funding sources and certain corporate donors linked to the previous onePULSE Foundation. They also raised concerns about the inclusion of Miranda’s poem, claiming that the decision was not made in consultation with survivors.

For further details, visit PulseOrlando.org.