Florida Construction News staff writer
Orlando City Council has selected Gomez Construction Company of Winter Park to design and build a $12 million memorial to the victims and survivors of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting.
The city voted this week to enter contract negotiations with the company to build the memorial to the victims and survivors of the 2016 Pulse nightclub.
A recommendation from city staff and design experts recommended Gomez Construction Park over two other the three firms hoping to build project.
Council also approved buying land adjacent to the Pulse site owned by Orlando businessman and GOP megadonor Craig Mateer for $1 million so it can be included in the memorial.
“That was one of the darkest days in the history of our community,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said at the council meeting. “But as always, Orlando has responded with love and compassion and unity, and today we take two more steps in recognizing what happened that day.”
The price for the adjacent land is the same as what Mateer purchased it from onePulse because the city was concerned another potential buyer would raise the purchase price. That land will be used for parking and a visitor pavilion.
The conceptual design includes:
- A Memorial and Reflection Space: Formed by the footprint of the original Pulse building
- Survivor’s Commons: A Survivor’s tribute wall positioned in a landscape that will include a seating area next to a designated survivor’s tree
- Private Gathering Space: Providing a quiet space for personal reflection and an Angel Personal Effects Capsule where families can leave flowers, tie banners and place personal mementos of their fallen angel.
- Angel Ellipse Site: An accessible elliptical walkway with 49 Canopy feature columns honoring the 49 victims with rainbow color glass panels.
- A Reflection Pool: Positioned where the dance floor was, symbolizing peace and remembrance
- A Healing and Prism Garden: A garden designed to represent hope and healing
- Visitor Pavilion: Intended as a welcoming space that includes public accommodations, limited exhibition space and indoor gathering space.
