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Arts Garage will stay in Delray Beach

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An arts and culture hub in downtown Delray Beach will stay where it is.

Tuesday night, city commissioners decided to move forward with extending the lease for the Arts Garage.

The Arts Garage leases space from the city in the lower level of a parking garage at NE 1st Street and NE 2nd Avenue. The lease was set to expire March 15.

The current lease called for the Arts Garage to purchase the space from the city for $2.5 million, but the Arts Garage did not raise the money. It asked for an extension to the lease.

The Arts Garage puts on plays, concerts, classes, and hosts exhibits.

Both sides will work out the length of the new contract. Commissioner Mitch Katz says the city should have more oversight into the programming and finances of the organization.

He says he received more than 200 emails of support for the Arts Garage. A group rallied outside city hall Tuesday to show its support.

A representative from the Arts Garage says it will expand the programs and classes it offers. She expressed thanks to patrons and city commissioners for their support.