Section 24-2-1 Legislative Findings and Declaration of Necessity

(a) It is hereby found and declared:

(1) That there exist in many communities within this state blighted areas, as defined herein, or areas in the process of becoming blighted;

(2) That such areas impair economic values and tax revenues, cause an increase in and spread of disease and crime and constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the residents of the state, and that these conditions necessitate excessive and disproportionate expenditures of public funds for crime prevention and punishment, public health and safety, fire and accident protection, and other public services and facilities;

(3) That the clearance, replanning, and preparation for rebuilding of these areas and the prevention or the reduction of blight and its causes are public uses and purposes for which public money may be spent and private property acquired and are governmental functions of state concern;

(4) That redevelopment activities will stimulate residential construction which is closely correlated with general economic activity and that the undertakings authorized by this chapter will aid the production of better housing and more desirable neighborhood and community development at lower costs and will make possible a more stable and larger volume of residential construction, which will assist materially in achieving and maintaining full employment; and

(5) That it is in the public interest that advance preparation for such projects and activities be made now.

(b) The necessity in the public interest for this chapter is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.