ORLANDO, Fla. – Nearly ten years have passed since the heartbreaking events at Pulse nightclub, and now the building is finally set to be demolished as part of a poignant move towards establishing a permanent memorial for the 49 lives lost.
For years, the location on South Orange Avenue has been a sacred space for families, survivors, and community members to gather and honor the victims of the 2016 mass shooting. As the demolition nears, many have returned for a final farewell, offering their respects and reflecting on the past.
Lillian Shea, who was just 13 when the tragedy struck, shared her emotional response to the upcoming changes. “I just never thought I’d be around to see it leave,” she expressed. “It’s really sad. I remember when it first happened — I was in school and woke up to it, and it was heartbreaking.”
On Tuesday, heavy machinery, including bulldozers, was stationed outside the building in preparation for its dismantling. The sight of these machines signals the start of a new chapter, yet for many, it stirs up old emotions.
Michael Johnson, another individual connected to the site, recounted how driving past it revives painful recollections. “It just reminds you of the terrible tragedy,” he said. “Every time you see it, it brings back the memories of those people that died.”
“It just reminds you of the terrible tragedy,” Johnson said. “Every time you see it, it brings back the memories of those people that died.”
The demolition follows months of planning by the City of Orlando and its Pulse Memorial Advisory Board, which developed a design concept for a permanent memorial. Plans include a water wall, fountain, seating area and the names of all 49 victims.
City crews began removing items from the building in late December to preserve them. In early February, a fence was installed around the property, and the iconic Pulse sign was taken down last week.
Some visitors said the building has long served as a final connection to loved ones lost in the tragedy.
“I’ve seen people crying out here sometimes, and I just think it’s the last piece of the people they lost,” Shea said.
According to the city, transportation crews are expected to arrive at 3 a.m., with construction crews following at 7 a.m. Demolition is scheduled to begin around 9 a.m. Most of the structure is expected to be taken down by midday, though the full cleanup process could take several months.
While the moment is emotional for many, some say they are ready to see progress.
“I’ll be happy to see the building gone. I’ll be happy to see a memorial in its place,” one person said, calling the next step “long overdue.”
Others acknowledged the difficulty the moment may bring for victims’ families.
“It’s the last place they were,” Shea said. “It’s kind of heartbreaking knowing the families are probably very affected by it.”
The City of Orlando estimates the cost of the memorial at roughly $12 million.
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