City Picks Builder for Pulse Memorial

In a major step toward honoring the lives lost during the 2016 Pulse nightclub tragedy, the Orlando City Council has selected Gomez Construction Co., a Winter Park-based design and construction firm, to lead the development of a permanent memorial on the original club site.

Originally published on September 6th, 2025. Updated for accuracy.

The $12 million memorial will commemorate the 49 people who lost their lives, most of who were LGBTQ+ and people of color, and over 50 others who were injured in one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. The memorial is being designed to reflect the themes of unity, love, and resilience that have defined Orlando’s response in the years since.

Gomez Construction Co. Selected Through Competitive Process

Gomez Construction Co. was ranked as the top choice in a city-led selection process that included design experts and staff. The firm, originally founded in Miami, has extensive experience in urban, hospitality, and cultural projects, including recent work at Orlando International Airport and Maitland’s Art + History Museums.

Other highly ranked firms included Precision Building Construction (Orlando) and Friedrich Watkins Construction (Tampa). With unanimous approval from the City Council, the city will now begin contract negotiations with Gomez Construction.

Design Focus: Community, Healing, and Reflection

The updated design plan, shaped by survivors, families of victims, and community members, includes a visitor pavilion, rainbow prism plaza, survivors wall, and a reflection pool located where the club’s dance floor once stood. It is a scaled-down but meaningful alternative to the previously proposed $100 million museum project from the now-defunct OnePulse Foundation.

The final design is expected to be completed by June 2026, with construction beginning later that summer and completion slated for the end of 2027. Mayor Buddy Dyer has expressed hopes that the project may finish ahead of schedule.

City and County Funding Secured

The City of Orlando has committed $7.5 million to the project, with Orange County pledging an additional $5 million. Nearly $400,000 in state appropriations has also been secured through local legislative efforts.

Acquisition of Adjacent Property Finalized

To accommodate the design, the city has also approved the purchase of an adjacent property that was once owned by the OnePulse Foundation. Local businessman Craig Mateer purchased the property in 2023 at the city’s request and has agreed to sell it back for the original $1 million purchase price, plus $30,000 in closing costs.

Moving Forward After OnePulse Foundation’s Dissolution

The memorial project was taken over by the city in late 2023 after the OnePulse Foundation, formed by one of the nightclub’s former owners, dissolved amid financial mismanagement. Although the foundation raised millions in donations, it failed to produce a permanent tribute. The existing interim memorial was donated by outside organizations and not built with foundation funds.

“While what OnePulse did to this community was horrible, it can’t keep us from building a permanent memorial on the site,” said Commissioner Patty Sheehan, whose district includes the Pulse location.

Looking Ahead

City leaders emphasized the importance of planning not just for the memorial’s construction but also for its ongoing maintenance and long-term operation. Commissioner Jim Gray noted the need for operational funding to ensure the site remains a best-in-class public space.

Commissioner Robert Stuart expressed hope that the joint effort between city and county will also inspire private donations from residents and organizations who want to contribute to the memorial’s mission.

As construction approaches, the City of Orlando remains committed to creating a space for remembrance, reflection, and healing, one that will stand as a lasting tribute to the lives lost and the strength of the community that continues to remember them.