The city of Orlando is interested in the Pulse nightclub property.

  • City of Orlando has discussed possibly getting the Pulse nightclub property
  • Club's owners have no current plans for a memorial at the club
  • 2 town hall meetings set for Thursday on fund distribution

The city confirmed to this station Wednesday that it has discussed the possibility of acquiring the Pulse nightclub where 49 people were killed in an attack back in June.

A city of Orlando spokesperson issued this statement Wednesday:

"The City has had exploratory discussions with the owners of Pulse about the future of the site. Those have included the City expressing our interest in acquiring the property.  

"If the City determines it is in the best interest of the community to acquire the property, we will go through that public process to do so.

"At this time, there are no further details."

Speculation in recent weeks is that the club would turn into a permanent memorial, or that a permanent memorial would exist on site.

However, the club's owners say right now there are no plans for an onsite memorial to the victims, or to turn the club itself into a memorial.

A spokesperson issued this statement Monday:

“OOPS! Looks like we got the media’s pulse racing with an inadvertent Instagram posting that incorrectly stated the Pulse Nightclub was reopening as a memorial. As reported last week, the club remains closed for business but Ms. Poma’s desire is that someday a memorial be created at the site. The OnePulseFoundation was established to raise funds for victims of the June 12 tragedy as well as for a memorial. No monies have been collected at this time.”  

Meanwhile, two town hall meetings Thursday will discuss how the OneOrlando Fund's money will be distributed.

Ken Feinberg, the man in charge of the fund, will be part of the discussion. He is a national compensation expert who worked with similar funds after the 9/11 attacks. He has already vowed that all of the funds will go to the families of the victims, as well as survivors. How that will work still needs to be decided.

Pulse shooting victims' families and survivors, as well as the community, are being asked to weigh in on the process Thursday.

Then a protocol will be determined and families and survivors can start filling out the claim forms. A draft protocol is already available. The public can read that on the OneOrlando Fund website.

All of the approved payments are expected to be given out by October 1.

We'll be live streaming both town halls on Channel 1197 Thursday.

The meetings are at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Amway Center.

Anyone who needs immediate assistance can still get help from the Orlando United Assistance Center.