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Martin Arts pitch for Stuart High School campus raises questions over alcohol rules and property options
Summary
Martin Arts and local arts leaders urged the Martin County School Board to approve a lease of the former Stuart High School to create an arts campus, saying limited evening alcohol service is integral to the project’s revenue model; the board and its attorney flagged board policies and city rules that could bar on‑site alcohol and directed staff to update appraisals and property inventories.
An organization backing a plan to convert the vacant Stuart High School into an arts and culture campus told the Martin County School Board on Monday that limited alcohol service outside school hours is key to making the project financially viable, while the board’s attorney said district policies and local rules raise legal obstacles that the board must resolve before approving a lease.
Martin Arts representatives, artists and local arts leaders appealed to the board during public comment, describing the proposed campus as a multiuse destination for students and the community that would support arts education, downtown businesses and local employment. "Martin Arts will not serve alcohol during school hours or school related functions," one representative said, adding that service would be "strictly limited to evening or weekend" events with "proper licensing, training staff, and strong safety protocols." The speakers said the group has raised more than $500,000 in cash and in-kind support to date and hopes lead gifts this…
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