Orlando’s Purchase of Land for Pulse Memorial Raises Questions About Separate Museum Plans
Orlando, Florida, is taking a significant step towards creating a memorial for the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. However, the city’s decision to purchase land for the memorial raises concerns about the fate of separate plans for a stand-alone museum in Orange County.
The OnePULSE Foundation, an organization dedicated to commemorating the tragedy, had already utilized over $6 million in Orange County tourist development tax funds to design and secure land for an independent museum. In 2018, a contract between the county and the foundation awarded $10 million in county funds, with a deadline of 2026 to establish the museum.
Now, with the City of Orlando buying land for the Pulse memorial, there is uncertainty about the future of the stand-alone museum. If the museum fails to materialize by the deadline, the land purchased with county funding could revert back to the county.
When questioned about the county’s investment, Mayor Demings expressed his hesitancy to make assumptions about the OnePULSE Foundation’s ability to execute their plans. He mentioned that a meeting between the county and the foundation is scheduled for later this week to discuss the next steps.
As for the OnePULSE Foundation, they have not provided any information regarding the status of their museum plans or how they may contribute to the creation of a permanent memorial. When asked about their efforts, foundation spokesperson Scott Bowman stated that they are continuing to raise funds for all their projects and initiatives.
Financial documents reveal that the OnePULSE Foundation reported revenue of $2.2 million from contributions and grants for the 2022 tax year. However, only around half a million came from fundraising events. Previous years’ documents indicate that the foundation’s total revenue was $4.5 million in 2021 and $3.19 million in 2020.
The foundation has mentioned their work on a scaled-down design plan for the museum. However, the exact amount of funds they still need to raise for this revised version remains unclear.
While the foundation focuses on their fundraising efforts, the county hopes for clarity regarding their role in the memorial and the museum. There have been changes in the situation, prompting the county to stress the need for continued communication with the OnePULSE Foundation.
The future of the stand-alone museum and its relationship with the newly planned Pulse memorial is something that remains uncertain. The coming weeks and months will likely shed light on the next steps and provide further clarity on how Orlando chooses to commemorate this tragic event.
