Pulse tribute to be constructed in Osceola County
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - Construction on a Pulse tribute will begin in Osceola County next month, Commission Chair Cheryl Grieb confirmed to FOX 35 on Saturday.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. on June 12, the eight-year anniversary of the deadly shooting.
"There's a group that asked me about having something here in Osceola County. As we all know, many of the folks who were affected either lived here, worked here, or have family here," said Cheryl Grieb, Osceola County Chair.
The structure, designed by local artist Jefrë, will be 49 feet tall to honor the 49 killed in the shooting on June 12, 2016.
"He graciously volunteered his time to create an iconic piece of artwork that will pay tribute to the 49," Grieb added.
The Osceola County location was decided on after family members said a "tribute close to home would be appropriate," a spokesperson for Osceola County said in a statement. Commissioner Grieb has been working with the county and has been having conversations with family members about the tribute site.
"It is not a memorial. The memorial is for up in Orlando, where the tragedy occurred," Grieb explained.
MORE HEADLINES:
- Dog goes missing after entering obedience training program, family says
- Deadly crash closes northbound lanes of I-95 in Volusia County
- Boeing Starliner historic launch of NASA astronauts after years of delays
- Florida woman who killed toddler in DUI crash to remain guilty after posthumous hearing
Several sites have been considered for the location of the tribute, including Brownie Wise Park.
"It's an honor that county is stepping up and showing love, recognition, and remembrance of what transpired on June 12, 2016," said Orlando Torres, Pulse survivor.
"A genuine act of we want to commemorate these people who passed, and the survivors, etc.," said Norman Casiano, Pulse survivor.
The City of Orlando said it would construct a memorial after taking over the nightclub property from the former onePULSE Foundation in October.