Orlando to turn Pulse gay nightclub into a museum

The city of Orlando in Florida is planning to buy the Pulse gay nightclub and turn it into a memorial.

The venue, which has continued to operate as a club, was the site of the cold-blooded massacre of 49 LGBTQ people by 29-year-old Omar Mateen on June 12.

“This location is now a permanent part of Orlando’s history, it’s the site of the most tragic event that has ever occurred in the City of Orlando,” said Mayor Buddy Dyer.

“It has great significance, not just for the LGBTQ community and the Hispanic community, but for all of us who live in and love Orlando,” he explained.

Dyer revealed that the city has entered into a contract to purchase the land and will formally vote on the move on 14 November. A selling price of $2.25 million has been agreed on with the owners of the venue.

“We want our entire community to be a part of this site. With the city owning the property, we can engage in a public process to determine the future of the Pulse property and building,” he said.

The gay bar, dance club, and nightclub was founded in 2004 by Barbara Poma and Ron Legler. The masscare was the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in US history, and the deadliest terrorist attack on US soil since the events of September 11, 2001.

Mateen was shot dead by officers who stormed the venue, which had been hosting its Latino night. The attack also left 53 people injured.