ORLANDO, Fla. — Construction on the long-awaited Pulse Nightclub Memorial officially began Tuesday morning, marking a significant step in the effort to honor the victims, survivors, and community members affected by one of the most tragic events in modern Orlando history.
Crews began preparations at approximately 7:30 a.m. Tuesday to remove the iconic Pulse Nightclub sign from the former nightclub site at 1912 South Orange Avenue, where the permanent memorial will eventually stand. The removal marks the start of early construction work tied to the memorial project, which city officials say remains in its planning and development phase.
Design plans for the memorial are currently about 30 percent complete, according to project officials. The memorial is expected to be fully completed in fall 2027.
City leaders say one of the primary goals of the project is to ensure the memorial reflects the voices and experiences of those most deeply affected by the tragedy.
“The city’s priority is to take a collaborative approach to the development of the Pulse Memorial to ensure it honors the victims, survivors, and all those impacted,” officials said as construction activities began.
A Place of Community Before the Tragedy
Pulse Nightclub first opened on July 2, 2004, founded by Barbara Poma and Ron Legler. Poma created the club in memory of her brother, John Poma, who died of AIDS. The club’s name, “Pulse,” was chosen to symbolize the idea that his spirit and impact would continue to live on.
Over the next decade, Pulse became more than a nightlife venue. The club served as a community hub for Orlando’s LGBTQ+ residents, hosting events that supported HIV prevention, breast cancer awareness, immigrant rights, and local arts. Organizations including Equality Florida and the Zebra Coalition frequently partnered with the venue for advocacy and community programming.
For many in Central Florida, Pulse represented a place of belonging, celebration, and activism.
The 2016 Attack
That sense of community was shattered on June 12, 2016, when a gunman opened fire inside the nightclub during a “Latin Night” event. The attack killed 49 people and injured dozens more, making it the deadliest act of violence against LGBTQ+ people in United States history.
The tragedy drew international attention and prompted widespread mourning across Orlando and the nation. In the years that followed, the site of the nightclub became a gathering place for memorials, vigils, and tributes, with visitors leaving flowers, photographs, and messages honoring the victims.
Moving Toward a Permanent Memorial
Since the tragedy, efforts to create a permanent memorial have involved extensive discussions among city leaders, survivors, victims’ families, and members of Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community.
The removal of the club’s sign and the start of early construction work represent a new phase in the project, one that aims to transform the site into a place of reflection, remembrance, and education for future generations.
While work continues on the design and planning process, officials say the collaborative approach remains central to the project’s mission.
When completed, the memorial is expected to serve as a lasting tribute to the lives lost, the survivors who continue to heal, and the resilience of a community that forever changed Orlando’s history.
