• Survivors and victims' families tour the Pulse nightclub prior to its demolition.
• A permanent memorial for the 2016 shooting will be built by 2027.
• The visits coincide with the ninth anniversary of the tragic event.
• Orlando officials aim to support the healing process for those affected.
• Questions remain about the investigation into the shooting and its aftermath.

Survivors and family members of the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, are revisiting the site for the last time before it is demolished. This poignant opportunity occurs as the city prepares to replace the nightclub with a permanent memorial dedicated to the 49 individuals who lost their lives during the attack on June 12, 2016, by Omar Mateen, who pledged allegiance to ISIS. The shooting was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history until it was eclipsed by a subsequent shooting in Las Vegas the following year, according to Al Jazeera, CBS News, and ABC News.

Approximately 250 individuals, including family members of the victims and survivors, accepted the city's invitation to tour the premises over the course of four days, spending about half an hour inside the nightclub. Many expressed a strong desire to connect with the site that witnessed their loved ones' last moments. Survivors have described the visit as a necessary step in their healing journey, with Christine Leionen poignantly noting, "My son died on that dance floor... I just want to feel closer to him," according to CBS News and ABC News.

The City of Orlando purchased the property for $2 million in 2023 and plans to build a $12 million memorial by 2027, following years of advocacy from families and survivors for a fitting tribute. The city has already issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to design the memorial, which will include features such as a survivor's tribute wall and a reflection pool. Mayor Buddy Dyer has reflected on the impact of the shooting, saying it starkly reminded him of the numerous lives affected on that fateful night, according to Al Jazeera, CBS News, and ABC News.

The completion of the memorial, which is expected to fulfill a long-standing community wish for recognition and remembrance, aims to provide a space for reflection and healing, offering support for the ongoing needs of survivors. Many continue to seek answers about the investigation and preventive measures that could have been taken to avert the tragedy, highlighting lingering concerns about community safety, according to CBS News and ABC News.