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Pulse national memorial won’t be located on nightclub property, foundation says

ORLANDO, Fla. — The future Pulse national memorial will not be located on the nightclub’s property, the onePULSE Foundation said Tuesday.

The foundation said it was not able to reach an agreement with Barbara Poma, who founded onePULSE Foundation, her husband, Rosario Poma, and their business partner, Michael Panaggio, for the full donation of the Pulse nightclub property.

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The foundation announced last month that Barbara Poma had stepped down from the organization.

onePULSE said it previously planned to build a permanent national memorial at the nightclub’s site to commemorate the 49 lives taken, survivors, first responders, and all those impacted by the June 12, 2016, tragedy.

The foundation said it will provide an update in mid-May regarding moving forward with plans for a new site for the Pulse national memorial, Orlando Health Survivors Walk and Pulse Museum.

Read: onePULSE Foundation founder Barbara Poma steps down from organization

A representative for Poma said she would not be commenting on the decision.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer released the following statement regarding the decision:

“The City of Orlando continues to stand with the OnePulse Foundation in their efforts to honor the victims, survivors and all those impacted by the Pulse tragedy. We will continue to support the dedicated work of the Foundation to honor and preserve the legacy of those taken and their efforts to create a sanctuary of hope here in our community.”

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.

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Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.