Pulse memorial plans spark dispute
Nightclub property owners at odds on effort to donate land
The property owners of the former Pulse nightclub site in Orlando are blaming one another over the reason for a failed real estate deal impacting the future of the planned memorial to commemorate the lives lost in the Pulse 2016 massacre.
Through a spokesperson, Barbara Poma, a founder and former executive director of the one PULSE Foundation, released a statement saying an investor in the property does not plan to sell their share in the land.
“Earlier this year we informed the Foundation, both verbally and in writing, that we made the decision to donate our share of the property,” she said in a statement. “However, our partner, who owns the remaining parcel, chose not to donate his share. We have no control over his business decisions.”
As a result the full donation of the property could not be completed, saddening many of the families and survivors of the massacre.
The other owning members include Poma’s husband, Rosario Poma, and Michael Panaggio, a businessman from Daytona Beach.
In an email response to the Orlando Sentinel, Panaggio said it was never his intention to donate the property to the one PULSE Foundation.
“They put an offer in to buy the property,” he said. “The story is not me. The story is the failure of the Pulse Foundation and the need to make desperate moves.”
In 2019, Panaggio had a different sentiment about offering the property up. He told the New York Times “I don’t care if I get any money back as long as their dream comes true.”
Property records show a company led by Rosario Poma bought the property in 2005 for $925,000. Several months after the 2016 shooting — one of the dead-
liest mass shootings in America that killed 49 people and injured 53 others — the ownership was split between two limited liability companies, one of which eventually was led by Panaggio.
In an email, Panaggio said he ended up with the property as collateral.
“I am good friends with Rosario Poma. Known him for 40 years,” he said. “I’ve invested in almost every real estate deal he has done.”
The spokesperson for the Pomas did not immediately respond to questions.
Joél Junior Morales, foundation manager for the Contigo Fund, said the recent news has been hurting those directly impacted and moving the memorial to a different location would not be satisfactory.
“The location of the nightclub is a powerful reminder of the impact of hate and violence, and it serves as a symbol of the need for greater understanding, compassion and acceptance,” he said. “Moving the memorial would not only be disrespectful to the victims and their families, but it would also undermine the important message of unity and solidarity that the Pulse nightclub represents.”
Scott Bowman, a spokesperson for the foundation, previously told the Orlando Sentinel that organization was working with Poma for months on the deal and was “shocked” and “disappointed” when it fell apart.
“As disappointing and shocking as this may be to the community, it’s important for the Foundation to communicate its commitment to complete this project, including finding a new site for the national memorial,” he said.
The foundation said it will make an announcement in the next coming weeks about what it plans to do with the property, in addition to future plans for the memorial and museum.