Orlando Mayor Wants City To Create Permanent Memorial At Pulse Nightclub

Nearly two months after the deadly mass shooting that took place at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, in which 49 people were murdered, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced that the municipality wishes to buy the club and turn it into a permanent memorial. This week, Mayor Buddy Dyer told 90.7 News radio that he wants the city to remain very much involved in plans for the site, since it continues to attract a high number of visitors coming to bear witness and pay their respects. “I’ve been, quite honestly, a little surprised at the volume of visitors that we have had”.

On Wednesday, Dyer and Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel visited the makeshift memorial that has sprung up on the site. The mayor was unavailable for an interview, but spokeswoman Cassandra Lafser said the city has real interest in purchasing the nightclub. She emphasizes the talks are preliminary.

Through its social media, OnePulse Foundation says the permanent memorial is meant to provide “a sanctuary of hope dedicated to the lives affected and taken by the tragedy”.

Dyer said that, while the planning process moves forward, he believes the building should not be torn down, the site should be surrounded by “adequate fencing”, and the city should keep the space where people have left flowers, candles and other mementos clean.

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The city has recently expressed an interest in acquiring the property, but no details about a permanent memorial have been discussed.

On Sunday, the nightclub posted an announcement on Instagram that said the club would reopen as a memorial, before releasing a correction indicating the post was premature. The property’s assessed value for 2016 was about $470,000.