Site of the Pulse nightclub will become a memorial to victims of gun massacre after being bought by the city
- The nightclub, where 49 people died and dozens were injured, has been purchased by the city of Orlando
- Mayor Buddy Dyer said he wants it become 'something to honor the memories of the victims that are deceased'
- The city paid $2.25 million for the bar, which opened in 2004
- It will be reaching out to communities for ideas on what the memorial should be
The site of the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history is set to be turned into a memorial after a deal was reached by the city to buy it.
In June, 49 people died at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in an attack by gunman Omar Mateen.
Since the shooting the gay venue has become a gathering place for mourners.
![Gunman Omar Mateen, who was gunned down by police, killed 49 people and injured dozens more at Pulse nightclub in Orlando](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/11/08/15/39F62C1600000578-3916020-image-a-55_1478620247507.jpg)
Gunman Omar Mateen, who was gunned down by police, killed 49 people and injured dozens more at Pulse nightclub in Orlando
![The city has paid $2.25million to buy the venue, and plans to turn it into a lasting memorial to those who died in the mass shooting](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/11/08/15/38BA6ECC00000578-3916020-image-a-56_1478620297108.jpg)
The city has paid $2.25million to buy the venue, and plans to turn it into a lasting memorial to those who died in the mass shooting
It has now been purchased by the city of Orlando, which plans to turn it into a permanent memorial to those who died.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told the Orlando Sentinel: 'There are lots of people that are making a visit to the site part of their trip, part of their experience of Orlando, so I think 12 to 18 months of leaving it as-is would be appropriate.'
After that, officials plan to create a more permanent tribute to those who were killed - but it is not yet clear what form that will take.
![The bar was opened in 2004 by Barbara Poma, who named it Pulse in honor of her borther John, who died of AIDS 25 years ago](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/11/08/15/39EFC71200000578-3916020-image-a-57_1478620345350.jpg)
The bar was opened in 2004 by Barbara Poma, who named it Pulse in honor of her borther John, who died of AIDS 25 years ago
Dyer said: 'We're still gathering information. We're looking around the country for some people that have done something like this before. There are some folks with expertise related to this.'
He said the aim will be to 'create something to honor the memory of the victims that are deceased [and] those that were injured, and a testament to the resilience of our community'.
The bar was opened in 2004 by Barbara Poma, who named it Pulse in honor of her borther John, who died of AIDS 25 years ago.
![President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden place flowers down during their visit to a memorial to the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/11/08/15/12CF8A0B00000514-3916020-image-a-58_1478620605461.jpg)
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden place flowers down during their visit to a memorial to the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando
The purchase price is $600,000 more than its appraised value.
The nightclub has been empty since the June 12 shooting, which happened during a Latin-themed party.
In a statement released in the days after the mass murder, Poma said: 'Anything we would ever do (with the venue) would include a memorial. We are still working through our grief.'
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