KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Over the weekend plans were revealed for a Pulse memorial in Osceola County, but some of those plans have since changed.
Osceola County Commissioner told News 6 over the weekend a Pulse memorial would go up in NeoCity and that a groundbreaking would take place on June 12. But during the Osceola County Commission meeting on Monday, Grieb announced some changes to those plans.
“I really feel with all the construction that’s going on in NeoCity right now, I’d like to bring it back to where I first looked at which is Brownie Wise Park,” Grieb said.
During the meeting, Grieb said the county would work with a local artist to create a piece of art that would pay tribute to the 49 lives lost in the Pulse shooting back in 2016.
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Grieb also explained it would be a tribute instead of a memorial.
“It is not a memorial,” Grieb said. “The memorial is for up in Orlando where the tragedy happened.”
Instead of a groundbreaking on June 12, Grieb said they would reveal the design of the tribute on June 12 in front of the old courthouse in Kissimmee.
Shortly after the meeting, the county sent us a statement that said:
“Commissioner Grieb is working with the County to take important steps to honor the victims and survivors of the Pulse tragedy with a tribute site that offers solace and healing. This is because so many people connected to the Pulse tragedy call Osceola County home – victims, survivors, and families. We have been deeply involved in providing assistance to all the Osceola victims from day one.
“An Osceola tribute site is a way to honor those whose lives were forever changed on June 12, 2016. In conversations that have been ongoing for some time, family members have indicated that a tribute close to home would be appropriate. This is not a memorial. The memorial belongs at the site of the tragedy. The tribute piece will not make references to the events that unfolded on that day as would a memorial. Those elements will not be part of the overall art experience of the sculpture. It is truly a dedication to the 49 victims. Commissioner Grieb is committed to working with the County to provide a place that offers tranquility, reflection, and healing to those affected by the deadliest mass shooting in Florida’s history.
“Several sites have been considered for the location of this tribute that will be designed by local artist Jefre’. Brownie Wise Park is a fitting location for such a tribute, providing a serene and welcoming environment for reflection by all.
“Public art in parks is something the County has been working on including parks and public spaces. In particular with regards to NeoCity, efforts to provide space for public art has been an ongoing discussion both at our entry areas and public spaces. The design contract in NeoCity approved Monday is not specifically related to a Pulse tribute, rather, it is for a separate park within NeoCity. A scheduled June 24 workshop on municipal art in public places and the integration of art in parks and public spaces showcases a commitment to enriching the community through artistic expression.”
Osceola County spokesperson
Grieb said it’s important to have a tribute in Osceola County because many of the victims and survivors have a connection to the county.
“There’s a group that had asked me to look at having something here in Osceola County, as we all know, that many of the folks that were affected either lived here, worked here,” Grieb said.
We spoke to Orlando Torres, a survivor of the Pulse shooting and asked him his thoughts about a Pulse tribute in Osceola County.
“Just because it happened here in Orlando, it wasn’t just that Orlando were victims here,” Torres said. “There were victims from other counties, and I’ve heard many, many victims lived in Osceola County.”
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said he supports the decision by Osceola County, in a statement to News 6:
“The Pulse Nightclub tragedy had a profound emotional impact on the nation, but especially on Central Florida. As Mayor of Orange County and as former Orange County Sheriff, I appreciate Osceola County’s decision to join Orlando and Orange County in honoring the victims of this mass shooting with a memorial.”
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings
A spokesperson for the City of Orlando also released a statement to News 6:
“Although time has passed, the City of Orlando believes that it remains so important that our entire region continues to honor the 49 individuals taken on June 12, 2016, as well as offer hope to their families and the survivors. We appreciate the efforts of any group to create a space where those impacted by the tragedy and others can go to remember and reflect.”
City of Orlando
Commissioner Grieb left shortly after Monday’s commission meeting ended. News 6 did attempt to talk with her and went to her office afterward, we were told she would not be making any comment.
As far as the funding for the project, the county tells us ARPA funding will still be used and said the project is estimated to come in at $250,000. Without a final design, the total cost of the project could change.
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