The City of Orlando is looking for the assistance of Orange County to help finance the construction of a permanent memorial meant to honor the 49 people killed in the deadly 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre. In a memorandum sent on Monday by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, the City of Orlando is seeking $5 million to help finance the estimated $12 million Pulse Memorial. “Since the tragedy, the city and county have continuously partnered to support the victims’ families and survivors and helped build community resilience,” Dyer said in the letter, which WESH 2 obtained on Wednesday, to the county. “We hope that the County will continue that spirit of partnership as we as we work to realize an overdue memorial that properly honors the 49.” Dyer said that the city has committed $7.5 million for the design and construction. That’s in addition to the funding allocated for the purchase of the Pulse site and the property directly west of Pulse that was previously owned by the OnePulse Foundation, Dyer added. In a statement from Orange County sent out to WESH 2, the county says, “Mayor Demings is supportive of the City of Orlando’s request regarding the Pulse Memorial, but final approval must come from the Board of County Commissioners during the County’s annual budget process this summer.” “We need to make sure that whatever transactions transpire support the initial initiative,” said County Commissioner Kelly Semrad of the Fifth District. “And at this point and time, I think that we need more accountability in terms of where that original revenue went.” Dyer said the city is pursuing financial contributions from the private sector, but mentioned the city is being challenged to raise significant funding for the memorial following the demise of the OnePulse Foundation. For seven years, onePULSE fundraised for a memorial and museum, scholarships and educational programs. Pouring over their annual tax returns and audits through 2022, WESH 2 found in its lifetime onePULSE raised just over $21 million. Last month, the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee pushed forward a final conceptual design for the Pulse Memorial. Related: Design proposal for Pulse Memorial shared at Orlando City Council WorkshopThis month, the city will begin a 90-day period to request proposals from building firms before selecting a contractor this summer. A ceremonial construction kick-off is planned for the 10th anniversary of the tragedy in June 2026.City leaders said the goal is for the Pulse memorial to open in the summer or fall of 2027.
The City of Orlando is looking for the assistance of Orange County to help finance the construction of a permanent memorial meant to honor the 49 people killed in the deadly 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre.
In a memorandum sent on Monday by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, the City of Orlando is seeking $5 million to help finance the estimated $12 million Pulse Memorial.
Advertisement
“Since the tragedy, the city and county have continuously partnered to support the victims’ families and survivors and helped build community resilience,” Dyer said in the letter, which WESH 2 obtained on Wednesday, to the county. “We hope that the County will continue that spirit of partnership as we as we work to realize an overdue memorial that properly honors the 49.”
Dyer said that the city has committed $7.5 million for the design and construction. That’s in addition to the funding allocated for the purchase of the Pulse site and the property directly west of Pulse that was previously owned by the OnePulse Foundation, Dyer added.
In a statement from Orange County sent out to WESH 2, the county says, “Mayor Demings is supportive of the City of Orlando’s request regarding the Pulse Memorial, but final approval must come from the Board of County Commissioners during the County’s annual budget process this summer.”
“We need to make sure that whatever transactions transpire support the initial initiative,” said County Commissioner Kelly Semrad of the Fifth District. “And at this point and time, I think that we need more accountability in terms of where that original revenue went.”
Dyer said the city is pursuing financial contributions from the private sector, but mentioned the city is being challenged to raise significant funding for the memorial following the demise of the OnePulse Foundation.
For seven years, onePULSE fundraised for a memorial and museum, scholarships and educational programs. Pouring over their annual tax returns and audits through 2022, WESH 2 found in its lifetime onePULSE raised just over $21 million.
Last month, the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee pushed forward a final conceptual design for the Pulse Memorial.
Related: Design proposal for Pulse Memorial shared at Orlando City Council Workshop
This month, the city will begin a 90-day period to request proposals from building firms before selecting a contractor this summer. A ceremonial construction kick-off is planned for the 10th anniversary of the tragedy in June 2026.
City leaders said the goal is for the Pulse memorial to open in the summer or fall of 2027.
发表回复