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Delray Beach Suspends Payment to Non-Profit Arts Center, Citing Sloppy Business Practices

Christine DiMattei
/
WLRN
The Arts Garage can still receive the reimbursement if it satisfies the redevelopment agency's concerns.

A performing arts center that’s in a converted Delray Beach parking garage faces an uncertain future after the city suspended a nearly $69,000 payment last week.

 

The payment to the Arts Garage would have come from a reimbursement program for non-profits.

Members of Delray Beach's Community Redevelopment Agency board voted unanimously to suspend the payment, citing sloppy business practices. The Arts Garage was late in submitting its year-end financial report, and a recent audit identified 10 additional concerns, including messy record-keeping and a lack of evidence that cash flows had been reviewed by administrators.

 

Because the payment is a reimbursement, the Arts Garage has already paid out most of the $68,750 it anticipated receiving from the city. The money went towards theater and arts education programs in the space, which is at 180 NE First St.

The Arts Garage will receive the reimbursement if it addresses the 10 concerns and undergoes another audit.

Arts Garage administrators have also told city officials they can no longer pay $2.5 million  to buy the organization’s parking garage performance space from Delray Beach. The organization had concluded a contract with the city to lease the parking garage-turned-performance venue before buying it.

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