Orlando OKs $2M deal to purchase Pulse nightclub property
ORLANDO - Plans to create a memorial for the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting are moving forward.
On Monday, the Orlando City Council voted unanimously in favor of buying the Pulse nightclub site for $2 million. The plan is for the property to become a permanent memorial to the victims of the 2016 mass shooting. But not everyone supports that plan.
Emotions ran high as survivors, the victims' loved ones, and many community members spoke out before city commissioners approved the funds to acquire the property.
"I will attempt and hope everybody will join me to raise money to not just offset the $2 million but to offset whatever the cost of the memorial going forward," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
Many spoke out in support of a permanent memorial for the site, but there were others like Maritza Gomez who survived the shooting.
"I lived that night, but it's a constant sacrifice to keep moving every day," she said.
She told the commissioners the focus should be getting more answers about what happened that night when 49 people were killed.
"I don't think that Pulse should be diminished. I think that the investigation should be taken care of first," said Gomez.
Twenty-nine-year-old Omar Mateen, accused of opening fire at the popular gay nightclub, was shot and killed by police.
Several years ago, the city offered $2.2 million to Pulse owner Barbara Poma, however, she declined the sale and instead continued fundraising for her organization called the One Pulse Foundation. But in April, the foundation said she stepped down from her position.
Orlando city leaders say the purchase of the Pulse property does not absolve the owners of any lawsuits.