Florida Construction News staff writer
The City of Orlando has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to find a design-build firm for the creation of a permanent memorial to honor the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016. Proposals are due by Thursday, May 29, at 2 p.m. Interested firms can submit their proposals and find detailed information through the city’s procurement portal at procurement.opengov.com/portal/orlando.
The selected firm will take the conceptual design, developed by the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee and turn it into detailed, actionable plans for the memorial. The committee’s conceptual design was advanced on Feb. 4.The Pulse Memorial design includes several key features to honor the victims and provide a place for reflection and healing. These include:
- Memorial and Reflection Space: The footprint of the original Pulse building will form the core of the memorial.
- Survivor’s Commons: A tribute wall dedicated to survivors, featuring a seating area and a designated survivor’s tree.
- Private Gathering Space: A quiet area for personal reflection, including an Angel Personal Effects Capsule where families can leave mementos.
- Angel Ellipse Site: A walkway with 49 columns, each representing one of the victims, with rainbow-colored glass panels.
- Reflection Pool: Located where the nightclub’s dance floor once stood, symbolizing peace and remembrance.
- Healing and Prism Garden: A garden designed to represent hope and healing.
- Visitor Pavilion: A welcoming space with exhibition space and indoor gathering areas for the public.
After the proposal deadline, the city will proceed with a selection process, with final rankings expected by summer 2025. The selected firm will then be presented to the Orlando City Council for approval. The construction of the memorial is slated for completion by the end of 2027.
In October 2023, Orlando purchased the site of the former Pulse nightclub, reaffirming its commitment to building a permanent memorial that honors the victims, their families, survivors, and the broader Orlando community.
For more information on the RFP or the Pulse Memorial project, visit pulseorlando.org.
