ORLANDO, Fla. – Nearly a decade after the tragedy at the Pulse nightclub, demolition of the building got underway on Wednesday, marking a significant step toward creating a permanent memorial honoring the 49 victims.
News4JAX sister station WKMG in Orlando reported from the site along South Orange Avenue, which has served for years as a place where families, survivors, and community members gathered to remember those killed in the 2016 mass shooting.
On the eve of demolition, many visited one last time to pay their respects.
“I just never thought I’d be around to see it leave,” said Lillian Shea, who was 13 years old at the time of the tragedy. “It’s kind of very sad. I remember when it first happened — I was in school and woke up to it, and I was pretty heartbroken.”
Heavy equipment, including bulldozers, was positioned outside the building on Tuesday ahead of the scheduled demolition.
Michael Johnson said passing by the site continues to bring back painful memories.
“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.
WKMG reported that 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.
Crews had taken down most of the structure 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.