The canopy will feature 49 pillars. | Photo courtesy of City of Orlando
Orlando is moving forward with plans to build its Pulse Memorial. City Council approved a $12 million project to construct a permanent monument honoring the 49 victims who died in the Pulse nightclub tragedy on June 12, 2016.
In doing this, the council also approved Winter Park firm Gomez Construction Company’s bid to work on the project. It will be constructed at the Pulse nightclub’s former location on South Orange Avenue — a site the City of Orlando purchased in 2023 with the intent of turning it into a memorial.
Timeline
In February 2025, the City’s Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee released renderings showing the final vision for the monument. The city also initiated a feedback period to hear from survivors of the attack + the victims’ families.
With Gomez Construction Company on the project, Mayor Buddy Dyer expects the design phase will take about nine months. Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2026.
The memorial is slated to be completed by the end of 2027.
The Golden Girls Gone Wild Pub Crawl | 3 p.m. | Main Street | $12+ | Grab your besties and break curfew as you visit four Main Street bars: Ivanhoe Village, Mills 50, Milk District + Curry Ford West.
Trivia + Brain Games Bonanza | 4:30 p.m. | Hourglass Brewing, Longwood | $15+ | Assemble your team of four and exercise your brain as you compete for $2,000 in prizes.
Tate McRae | Saturday, Sept. 13 + Sunday, Sept. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Kia Center | $145+ | Park your “Sports Car” and watch the Canadian pop star during the “Miss Possessive Tour” with Zara Larsson.
Sunday, Sept. 14
Orlando Outdoor Market | 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | Central Florida Fair | Free | Get outside and hunt for treasures as 300+ vendors sell products.
Groove 4 Good | 5 p.m. | Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, Orlando | $19+ | Watch dancers, musicians, and vocalists from across Central Florida perform in support of Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
A rockin’ new bar + grill is taking center stage in Ocoee. Rock ’N Rev is now open at the corner of Good Homes Road + West Colonial Drive. The restaurant features a menu with American cuisine and will host musical events, like live performances and games.
Closed
“Eatertainment” center Pinstripes has closed its Orlando location inside the Vineland Pointe shopping center. This news corresponds with the Chicago-based company’s bankruptcy filing. The two-story restaurant opened in April 2024 and was known for its rooftop patio + bowling alley.
Travel
Do you want to help make flying out of Orlando International Airport better? MCO is recruiting 50 locals to join its Traveler’s Advisory Group, which will collect feedback and input for future projects. The group is a one-year commitment with monthly meetings; applications are open through Friday, Sept. 19.
Development
Orlando’s newest student housing complex, Aperture, is ready for the fall semester. The 204-unit development opened on East Colonial Drive, about 2 miles from the University of Central Florida campus. The eight-story complex will house 680 people in studios or units with one, two, or four bedrooms. (Multi-Housing News)
Coming Soon
Oviedo residents are buzzing with news of a new coffee shop. Dutch Bros Coffee has filed for permits to build on the Alafaya Trail site where a Burger King restaurant was recently demolished. This will be the chain’s second Seminole County location, though a timeline has not been announced. (Orlando Business Journal)
Parks
Universal Orlando is earning worldwiderecognition after receiving five of Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards, designed to honor the “best of the best” in the amusement park industry. Four distinctions were given to the new Epic Universe park, while Volcano Bay was named the best water park. (Orlando Sentinel)
Ranked
The Orlando Magic have scored in the fashion department. The team’s jersey placed No. 6 on CBS Sport’s ranking of all 30 NBA jerseys. The assessment based its placements on factors like color schemes, theming, and “coolness.” (CBS Sports)
Festival
Tickets are officially on sale for the Annual SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, happening April 14-19, 2026. Grab tickets now to take advantage of Earlybird and Florida Resident prices, and save your seat for USAF Thunderbirds, an Opening Night Concert, breathtaking Night Airshows, and new surprises.*
Giveaway
You don’t have to be a big city professional or small town savior to live the plot of a Hallmark movie this holiday season — you just have to be an ORLtoday subscriber. Enter for a chance to win a free weekend in New Bern, NC.*
Jobs
Need to hire? We’ve got you covered. Whether you’re staffing up for the season or filling a key full-time role, our Job Board is your one-stop hiring solution. Post your open positions for free and start connecting with qualified candidates.
Try This
Ready to kickstart your career in digital media sales remotely? We’re looking for a Sales Coordinator to fuel our fast-paced sales team, with a competitive salary, premium benefits, unlimited PTO, and real growth opportunities to boot. Apply to join our team.
New murals are coming to Parramore — 11 displays are being installed as part of the “Art Pollination” project.
The temporary installations in the Main Street area are part of an effort to share the challenges of food insecurity through public art. The initiative also hopes to highlight nonprofits that are working toward solutions.
Want to take a look? The Murals on Church preview event will take place on West Church Street tomorrow, Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The celebration will include live painting, music, and free bagged lunches.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Did you know that tomorrow, Sept. 13, has been dubbed Roald Dahl Day? The imaginative author is known for books like “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Matilda.” Though his creations haven’t been honored at an Orlando theme park (yet), kids can always learn about his works at a local library.
