17-4743.   Legislative findings; declarations of necessity; eminentdomain.It is hereby found and declared that there exist in certain cities ofthe state, slum and blighted areas (as herein defined) which constitute aserious and growing menace, injurious to the public health, safety, moralsand welfare of the residents of the state; that the existence of such areascontributes substantially and increasingly to the spread of disease andcrime, constitutes an economic and social liability, substantially impairsor arrests the sound growth of municipalities and retards the provision ofhousing accommodations; and that the prevention and elimination of slumsand blight is a matter of state policy and state concern in order that thestate and certain cities therein shall not continue to be endangered byareas which are focal centers of disease, promote juvenile delinquency, andthat because of the congestion in such slum and blighted area innumerabletraffic problems are created which hamper the easy flow of motor vehiclesthroughout the area, and, while contributing little to the tax income ofthe state and its municipalities, consume an excessive proportion of itsrevenues because of the extra services required for police, fire, accident,hospitalization and other forms of public protection, services andfacilities.

      It is further found and declared that certain slum or blighted areas, orportions thereof, may require acquisition and clearance, as provided inthis act, since the prevailing condition of decay may make impracticablethe reclamation of the area by conservation or rehabilitation; that otherareas or portions thereof may, through the means provided in this act, besusceptible of conservation or rehabilitation in such a manner that theconditions and evils hereinbefore enumerated may be eliminated, remedied orprevented; and that to the extent feasible salvable slum and blighted areasshould be conserved and rehabilitated through voluntary action and theregulatory process.

      It is further found and declared that the powers conferred by this actare for public uses and purposes for which public money may be expended andthe power of eminent domain exercised; and that the necessity in the publicinterest for the provisions herein enacted is hereby declared as a matterof legislative determination.

      History:   L. 1955, ch. 86, § 2; June 30.