ORLANDO, Fla. – Members of the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee, along with families of the victims, gathered Wednesday to discuss the findings of a recent questionnaire about the proposed memorial design. Participants were asked to rate various features on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 indicating the highest level of importance.
A water feature, such as a fountain, emerged as the most prioritized element, receiving a 4.8 out of 5. Architects suggested this feature could not only enhance the memorial, but also help mitigate the noise from nearby Orange Avenue, a concern rated at 3.9.
The committee was also shown examples of memorials from around the world to help guide their decision-making process. Each board member was given colored stickers to place on poster board displaying different established memorials.
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Signage, including the display of victims’ names, was rated highly as well, scoring 4.7.
Committee members were told by the architects that proper lighting can aid both visibility and security. Lightening concerns ranked a score of 4.5.
Larry Schooler, the board’s facilitator, emphasized the significance of Wednesday’s meeting in advancing the project.
“We’re on the cusp of really getting into the home stretch of the committee’s work,” Schooler said. “I’m hoping the design team’s work will chart a clear path forward, reflecting the wishes of families and survivors.”
Other features that ranked highly included landscaping, with participants giving a 4.5 for trees, shading, and greenery to be incorporated on the one-acre lot. Parking availability for visitors scored a 4.1.
When asked about public skepticism given the years that have passed since the tragedy, Schooler remained optimistic.
“It’s perfectly normal for people to be skeptical about the project’s completion, given how long they’ve had to wait,” Schooler said. “But having worked on similar projects, we’re actually on a reasonable timeline.”
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