Survivors and families of the Pulse nightclub tragedy are one step closer to a permanent memorial. On Monday, the Orlando City Council voted to begin contract negotiations with Gomez Construction Company, the chosen firm to design and build the memorial honoring the 49 lives lost. This vote follows a months-long process.
In March, the city requested proposals for the memorial project. Three proposals were submitted and carefully reviewed by an advisory committee made up of city staff, construction experts—and most importantly—survivors and loved ones of the victims. Gomez Construction, based in Winter Park, ranked first. If negotiations go smoothly, the final contract will return to the council for approval. Construction is expected to begin in June 2026 and finish by the end of 2027. The council also voted to purchase property directly behind the Pulse site in downtown Orlando. This will provide additional space for future parking and enhance the memorial’s design.
Survivor Ricardo Negron responded to this development, saying,
“I know there has been a lot of emotions throughout this nine-year process but we are finally getting there, so we just needed to go over that last hoop and start putting this vision that so many people have had and start making it a reality so we are almost there,”
The memorial will serve as a permanent reminder of resilience, grief, and the enduring strength of the queer community.
