Latest news with #CityofOrlando
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Pulse Memorial: Orange County commits $5 million toward permanent site
The Brief Plans for a permanent memorial to the 49 Pulse victims move forward with new county support. Orlando leads the $12M project to honor lives lost in the 2016 mass shooting. Completion is expected by 2027 as officials finalize a joint funding agreement. ORLANDO, Fla. - A permanent memorial honoring the lives lost in the Pulse nightclub shooting is one step closer to reality after Orange County commissioners unanimously approved a $5 million contribution toward the project. What we know A permanent memorial honoring the 49 victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting took a major step forward after Orange County commissioners unanimously approved a $5 million contribution. The memorial will be built at the original site of the nightclub, replacing the current interim tribute. The estimated total cost is $12 million, with the City of Orlando providing the majority of funding. What we don't know A final funding agreement between Orange County and the City of Orlando is still pending. It's also unclear if additional fundraising will be needed to cover remaining costs or when construction will officially begin. Specifics on how the design elements — such as the Angel Ellipse and Healing Garden — will be implemented have not been fully released. The backstory The original plans for the memorial were led by the OnePulse Foundation, which dissolved in 2023 amid delays and internal challenges. In response, the City of Orlando took control of the project and created the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee in early 2024 to oversee planning and community engagement. Big picture view The memorial aims to become a national symbol of love, inclusion, and remembrance, offering a space for healing nearly a decade after the tragedy. The Pulse shooting was one of the deadliest in U.S. history, and this permanent memorial has long been sought by survivors, victims' families, and the broader LGBTQ+ community. What they're saying The funding pledge comes as the City of Orlando continues efforts to design and construct the long-awaited tribute on the original site of the 2016 mass shooting. The memorial is projected to cost around $12 million in total, with Orlando covering the majority of the expenses. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings emphasized the importance of the memorial during a commission meeting this week. "The city is putting in the bulk of the money and so, they have not asked us to match what they have put in," Demings said. "They have asked for what is the deficit of funds needed to make this site a reality. Demings added that he hopes this project will offer healing, honor those who were lost, and bring comfort to those who continue to grieve. What's next A formal funding agreement between the city and county is still pending approval and will determine how the $5 million will be distributed. The permanent memorial is anticipated to be completed by 2027. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Orange County Commission.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Traffic Alert: Extended closure for a section of South Street begins Monday in Orlando
Traffic headaches near Downtown Orlando could begin to rise on Monday. That's because on April 28, City of Orlando and Orlando Utilities Commission will start the next phase of the Summerlin Avenue Improvement Project. This part of the project will put the squeeze on traffic along a well-traveled stretch of South Street. Officials said the temporary traffic changes are necessary in their ongoing efforts to upgrade OUC's drinking water and Orlando's sanitary sewer and stormwater systems. What does it mean for motorists? For the next five months, drivers should prepare for delays on South Street and might even consider an alternate route. South Street impact: Only one westbound lane of South Street will be open to traffic from South Mills Avenue to just west of Summerlin Avenue. Traffic on South Street will then resume three lanes. Summerlin Avenue impact: Traffic traveling north and south on Summerlin Avenue will be rerouted around the closure between East Anderson Street and Pine Street. Detour signage should help drivers navigate the temporary changes. As for the traffic headaches, an occasional aspirin might help over the next 150 days. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
