Orlando, Florida – As the eighth anniversary of the tragic Pulse nightclub massacre approached, survivors and families of the victims were hoping for a permanent memorial to honor the 49 lives lost in the attack by a lone gunman. However, due to a failed attempt by a private foundation to build a multimillion-dollar memorial and museum, new, scaled-back plans have only recently begun to take shape.
The city of Orlando acquired the nightclub property for $2 million last year, scrapping the original idea of a museum and now focusing on a more modest memorial plan. City leaders have established an advisory board to assist in determining the design of the memorial, which is expected to be completed by 2028 near downtown Orlando.
Efforts to create a memorial had faced obstacles since the tragic events of June 12, 2016, when the Pulse nightclub shooting occurred. With 49 individuals deceased and 53 wounded, it was one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history at the time. Over a year later, the tragic incident in Las Vegas surpassed this toll, leaving 58 dead and over 850 injured.
The former owners of the property, Barbara and Rosario Poma alongside businessman Michael Panaggio, were involved in planning the memorial through the onePulse Foundation. Amid controversy over a potential sale of the property instead of a donation, Barbara Poma resigned as executive director in 2022 and departed from the organization last year.
The initial plans by the onePulse Foundation in 2019 aimed to create a $45 million museum and memorial but faced financial challenges leading to an estimated cost of $100 million. An investigation revealed that the scope of the project exceeded the nonprofit’s fundraising capabilities, prompting a restructuring under new leadership in 2022.
Survivors of the Pulse nightclub shooting have been patiently awaiting the completion of a lasting memorial. The community yearns for closure, with many expressing the importance of honoring the victims through a meaningful and respectful tribute.