Slum Clearance and Redevelopment Authority Law

Del. Code tit. 31, ch. 45

in effect

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4501 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning is clearly indicated by the context: (1) “Area of operation” means in the case of a municipality the area within such municipality and in the case of a county, the area within the county, except that the area of operation in such case shall not include any area which lies within the territorial boundaries of a municipality unless a resolution shall have been adopted by the governing body of such municipality declaring a need therefor; and in the case of a regional authority, shall mean the area within the communities for which such regional authority is created; provided, however, that a regional authority shall not undertake a redevelopment project within the territorial boundaries of any municipality or county unless a resolution shall have been adopted by the governing body of such municipality or county declaring that there is a need for the regional authority to undertake such redevelopment project within such municipality. No authority shall operate in any area of operation in which another authority already established is undertaking or carrying out a redevelopment project without the consent, by resolution, of such other authority. (2) “Authority” or “slum clearance and redevelopment authority” means a public body, corporate and politic, created by or pursuant to § 4503 of this title or any housing authority or community exercising the powers, rights and duties of a slum clearance and redevelopment authority pursuant to § 4503 of this title. (3) “Blighted area” means that portion of a municipality or community which is found and determined to be a social or economic liability to such municipality or community because of any of the following conditions: a. The generality of buildings used as dwellings, or the dwelling accommodations therein, are substandard, unsafe, unsanitary, dilapidated or obsolescent, or possess any of such characteristics, or are so lacking in light, air or space, as to be conducive to unwholesome living; b. The discontinuance of the use of any building previously used for commercial, manufacturing, residential or industrial purposes, the abandonment of a building, or allowing a building to fall into so great a state of disrepair as to render the building untenantable and detrimental to the appraised market value of surrounding property; c. Unimproved vacant land, which has remained so for a period of 10 years prior to the date of the public hearing as provided in § 4524 of this title, and which land by reason of its location, or remoteness from developed sections or portions of such municipality or community, or lack of means of access to such other parts thereof, topography, or nature of the soil is not likely to be developed through the instrumentality of private capital; d. Areas (including slum areas) with buildings or improvements which by reason of dilapidation, obsolescence, deteriorated or deteriorating structures, overcrowding, faulty arrangement or design in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility or usefulness, lack of ventilation, light and sanitary facilities, excessive land coverage, deleterious land use or obsolete layout, predominance or defective or inadequate street layout, or any combination of these or other factors are detrimental to the safety, health, morals, or welfare of the municipality or community; e. A growing or total lack of proper utilization of areas caused by the condition of the title, diverse ownership of the real property therein, tax or special assessment delinquency exceeding the fair value of the land, or the existence of conditions which endanger life or property by fire or other causes and other conditions, resulting in a stagnant and unproductive condition of land potentially useful and valuable for contributing to and serving the public health, safety and welfare; and f. Vacant or unimproved lot, parcel of ground or structure in a predominantly built-up-neighborhood, which by reason of neglect or lack of maintenance: 1. Has become a place for accumulation of trash and debris or a haven for rodents or other vermin; 2. Depreciates assessable and/or fair market value of the surrounding property, as certified by a licensed appraiser; 3. Is a public nuisance, as defined by common law or declaration in accordance with the local housing, building, plumbing, fire and related codes; 4. Is an attractive nuisance to children, as defined by common law; 5. Has had its utilities, plumbing, heating, sewerage or other facilities disconnected, destroyed, removed from the structure, or rendered ineffective so that the property is unfit for its intended use; 6. Requires a disproportionate expenditure of public funds for public health and safety, crime prevention, correction, and prosecution; and 7. Has contributed to a quantified disproportionate exodus of families and businesses from the surrounding neighborhood. (4) “Bonds” mean any bonds (including refunding bonds), notes, interim certificates, debentures, or other obligations issued by an authority pursuant to this chapter. (5) “Clerk” means the clerk or other official of the municipality or county who is the custodian of the official records of such municipality or county. (6) “Community” means any municipality or county in this State. (7) “Conservation” means the preservation of an area or section of a community, and the supervision and care of such area or section, to prevent the recurrence or spread of slum conditions or conditions of blight. (8) “Federal government” includes the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the United States of America. (9) “General neighborhood renewal plan” means a plan for an area of such size that it will encompass 2 or more projects that will entail renewal activities which may have to be spread over a period of up to 10 years, and for which programming of the entire area is desirable in advance of the planning and carrying out of specified projects. (10) “Governing body” means the city council, town council, commissioners or other legislative body charged with governing the municipality or Levy Court commissioners or other legislative body charged with governing the county. (11) “Housing authority” means any public body created by or pursuant to Chapter 43 of this title. (12) “Mayor” means the mayor of a municipality or the officer or body having the duties customarily imposed upon the executive head of a municipality. (13) “Municipality” means any incorporated city or town in this State. (14) “Obligee” includes any bondholder, agents or trustees for any bondholders, or lessor demising to the authority property used in connection with a redevelopment project, or any assignee or assignees of such lessor’s interest or any part thereof, and the federal government when it is a party to any contract with the authority. (15) “Public body” means the State or any municipality, county, township, board, commission, authority, district or any other subdivision or public body of this State. (16) “Real property” includes all lands, including improvements and fixtures thereon, and property of any nature appurtenant thereto or used in connection therewith, and every estate, interest and right, legal or equitable, therein, including terms for years and liens by way of judgment, mortgage or otherwise and the indebtedness secured by such liens. (17) “Redeveloper” means any person, partnership, or public or private corporation or agency which enters or proposes to enter into a redevelopment contract. (18) “Redevelopment contract” means a contract entered into between an authority and a redeveloper for the redevelopment of an area in conformity with a redevelopment plan. (19) “Redevelopment plan” means a plan other than a preliminary or tentative plan for the acquisition, clearance, reconstruction, rehabilitation or future use of a redevelopment project area. (20) “Redevelopment project” means any work or undertaking to: a. Acquire slum areas or blighted areas or portions thereof, including lands, structures or improvements the acquisition of which is necessary or incidental to the proper clearance, development or redevelopment of such slum or blighted areas or to the prevention of the spread or recurrence of slum conditions or conditions of blight; b. Clear any such areas by demolition or removal of existing buildings, structures, streets, utilities or other improvements thereon and to install, construct or reconstruct streets, utilities and site improvements essential to the preparation of sites for uses in accordance with a redevelopment plan; c. Sell, lease or otherwise make available land in such areas for residential, recreational, commercial, industrial or other use or for public use or to retain such land for public use, in accordance with a redevelopment plan; and such term may also include the preparation of a redevelopment plan, the planning, survey and other work incident to a redevelopment project and the preparation of all plans and arrangements for carrying out a redevelopment project. (21) “Rehabilitation” means the reconstruction, alteration or repair of improvements, structures and buildings in accordance with the requirements of the municipality or community in its codes, laws or regulations pertaining to building, fire prevention, health, housing, and zoning, and also the use of land, and the use and occupancy of buildings and improvements. (22) “Related activities” means: a. Planning work for the preparation of a general neighborhood renewal plan, or for the preparation or completion of a communitywide plan or program pursuant to § 4520 of this title, as amended, and b. The functions related to the acquisition and disposal of real property pursuant to § 4516(11) of this title, as amended. (23) “Slum area” means an area in which there is a predominance of buildings or improvements (or which is predominantly residential in character), and which, by reason of dilapidation, deterioration, age or obsolescence, inadequate provision for ventilation, light, air, sanitation, or open spaces, high density of population and overcrowding, or the existence of conditions which endanger life or property by fire and other causes, or any combination of such factors, is conducive to ill health, transmission of disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency and crime, and is detrimental to the public health, safety, morals or welfare. (24) “Urban renewal area” means a slum area or a blighted area or any combination thereof which the local governing body designates as appropriate for an urban renewal project. (25) “Urban renewal plan” means a plan, as it exists from time to time, for an urban renewal project, which plan: a. Shall conform to the general plan for the municipality or community as a whole; and b. Shall be sufficiently complete to indicate such land acquisition, demolition and removal of structures, redevelopment, improvements, rehabilitation and conservation as may be proposed to be carried out in the urban renewal area, zoning and planning changes, if any, land uses, maximum densities and building requirements. The term “urban renewal plan” shall be also construed as including and meaning redevelopment plan wherever the context of this chapter requires. (26) a. “Urban renewal project” means undertakings and activities of a municipality or community, in an urban renewal area, for the elimination and for the prevention of the development or spread of slums and blight, and may involve slum clearance and redevelopment in an urban renewal area, or rehabilitation in an urban renewal area, or any combination or part thereof in accordance with an urban renewal plan. Such undertakings and activities may include: 1. Acquisition of a slum area or a blighted area or portion thereof; 2. Clearance of any such areas by demolition or removal of existing buildings, structures, streets, utilities, parks, playgrounds or other improvements thereon; 3. Installation, construction or reconstruction of streets, utilities, parks, playgrounds and other improvements necessary for carrying out in the urban renewal area the urban renewal objectives of this chapter in accordance with the urban renewal plan; 4. Disposition of any property acquired in the urban renewal area (including sale, initial leasing or retention by the municipality or community itself) at its fair value for uses in accordance with the urban renewal plan; 5. Carrying out plans for a program of voluntary or compulsory repair, rehabilitation and conservation of buildings or other improvements in accordance with the urban renewal plan; 6. Acquisition of real property in the urban renewal area which, under the urban renewal plan, is to be repaired or rehabilitated for dwelling use or related facilities, repair or rehabilitation of the structures and resale of the property; 7. Acquisition of any other real property in the urban renewal area where necessary to eliminate unhealthful, insanitary or unsafe conditions, lessen density, eliminate obsolete or other uses detrimental to the public welfare, or otherwise to remove or prevent the spread of blight or deterioration, or to provide land for needed public facilities; and 8. Acquisition of slum areas or blighted areas or portions thereof including lands, structures, or improvements, the acquisition of which is necessary or incidental to the proper clearance, development or redevelopment or to the conservation or rehabilitation of such slum or blighted area or to the prevention of the spread or recurrence of slum conditions or conditions of blight. b. “Urban renewal project” shall also be construed as including and meaning redevelopment project wherever the context of this chapter requires.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4502 Declaration of necessity.

It is found and declared that there exist in localities throughout the State slum and blighted areas (as defined in § 4501 of this title) which constitute a serious and growing menace, injurious and inimical to the public health, safety, morals and welfare of the residents of the State; that the existence of such areas contributes substantially and increasingly to the spread of disease and crime, necessitating excessive and disproportionate expenditures of public funds for the preservation of the public health and safety, for crime prevention, correction, prosecution, punishment and the treatment of juvenile delinquency and for the maintenance of adequate police, fire and accident protection and other public services and facilities, constitutes an economic and social liability, substantially impairs or arrests the sound growth of communities and retards the provision of housing accommodations; that this menace is beyond remedy and control solely by regulatory process in the exercise of the police power and cannot be dealt with effectively by the ordinary operations of private enterprise without the aids provided in this chapter; that the elimination of slum conditions or conditions of blight, the acquisition and preparation of land in or necessary to the development of slum or blighted areas and its sale or lease for development or redevelopment in accordance with general plans and redevelopment plans of communities and any assistance which may be given by any state public body in connection therewith are public uses and purposes for which public money may be expended and private property acquired; and that the necessity in the public interest for the provisions enacted in this chapter is declared as a matter of legislative determination. It is found and declared that: (1) There exists in communities of this State blighted and deteriorated areas which constitute a serious and growing menace, injurious to the public health, safety, morals and welfare of the residents of the State, and the findings and declarations made in this section prior to December 27, 1965, are affirmed and restated, (2) Certain blighted, deteriorated, or deteriorating areas, or portions thereof, may require acquisition and clearance, as provided in this chapter, since the prevailing condition of decay may make impracticable the reclamation of the area by conservation or rehabilitation, but other areas or portions thereof may, through the means provided in this chapter, be susceptible of conservation or rehabilitation in such a manner that the conditions and evils enumerated in this section may be eliminated, remedied or prevented, and to the extent feasible, salvable blighted, deteriorated, or deteriorating areas should be conserved and rehabilitated through voluntary action and the regulatory process, and (3) All powers conferred by this chapter, as amended, are for public uses and purposes for which public money may be expended and such other powers exercised, and the necessity in the public interest for the provisions of this chapter is declared as a matter of legislative determination. A municipality or community to the greatest extent it determines to be feasible in carrying out the provisions of this chapter shall afford maximum opportunity, consistent with the sound needs of the municipality or community as a whole, to the conservation or rehabilitation or redevelopment of areas by private enterprise.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4503 Creation of slum clearance and redevelopment authority.

There is created in each community (as defined in § 4501 of this title) a public body corporate and politic, to be known as the “slum clearance and redevelopment authority” of the community. Such authority shall not transact any business or exercise its powers under this chapter until or unless the governing body shall approve (by resolution, as provided in this chapter) the exercise in such community of the powers, functions and duties of an authority under this chapter. If it deems such action to be in the public interest, the governing body may, instead of such resolution, adopt a resolution approving the exercise of such powers, functions and duties by the community itself or by a housing authority, and in such event, the community or housing authority, as the case may be, shall be vested with all the powers, functions, rights, duties and privileges of a slum clearance and redevelopment authority under this chapter.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4504 Resolutions.

The governing body of a community shall not adopt a resolution pursuant to § 4503 of this title unless it finds that: (1) One or more slum or blighted areas (as defined in § 4501 of this title) exist in such community; and (2) The redevelopment of such area or areas is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety, morals or welfare of the residents of such community.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4505 Regional slum clearance and redevelopment authority.

If the governing body of each of 2 or more communities declares, by resolution, that there is a need for 1 slum clearance and redevelopment authority to be created for all of such communities, and has made the findings required by § 4504 of this title, a public body, corporate and politic, to be known as a regional slum clearance and redevelopment authority (herein referred to as “regional authority” or “authority”) shall thereupon exist for all of such communities and may exercise the powers and other functions of an authority under this chapter in such communities.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4506 Area of operation of regional authority.

The area of operation of a regional authority shall be increased from time to time to include 1 or more additional communities if the governing body of each of such additional communities adopts the resolution described in § 4505 of this title and makes the findings required by § 4504 of this title, and the commissioners of the regional authority consent to the inclusion within its area of operation of such additional communities.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4507 Board of commissioners; number; tenure of office; vacancies.

When the governing body of a municipality adopts a resolution as provided in this chapter, it shall promptly notify the mayor of such adoption. If the resolution adopted is one approving the exercise of powers hereunder by a slum clearance and redevelopment authority, the mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the governing body, shall appoint a board of commissioners of the authority created for such municipality which shall consist of 5 commissioners, and when the governing body of a county adopts such a resolution, the body shall appoint a board of commissioners of the authority created for such county which shall consist of 5 commissioners. The commissioners who are first appointed pursuant to this chapter shall be designated to serve for terms of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, respectively, from the date of their appointment, but thereafter commissioners shall be appointed as aforesaid for a term of office of 5 years, except that all vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4508 Appointment of commissioners for each additional community; tenure.

If a regional authority is created as provided in this chapter, 1 person shall be appointed as a commissioner of such authority for each community for which such authority is created. When the area of operation of a regional authority is increased to include an additional community or communities as provided in this chapter, 1 additional person shall be appointed as a commissioner of such authority for each such additional community. Each such commissioner appointed for a municipality shall be appointed by the mayor thereof, by and with the advice and consent of the governing body, and each such commissioner appointed for a county shall be appointed by the governing body thereof. The first appointment of commissioners of a regional authority may be made at or after the time of the adoption of the resolution declaring the need for such authority or declaring the need for the inclusion of such community in the area of operation of such authority. The commissioners of a regional authority and their successors shall be appointed as aforesaid for terms of 5 years except that all vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired terms.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4509 Odd and even number of communities; tenure; certificate of appointment as evidence.

If the area of operation of a regional authority consists at any time of an even number of communities, the commissioners of the regional authority already appointed in the manner described in this chapter shall appoint 1 additional commissioner whose term of office shall be as provided for a commissioner of a regional authority, except that such term shall end at any earlier time that the area of operation of the regional authority shall be changed to consist of an odd number of communities. The commissioners of such authority already appointed in the manner described in this chapter shall likewise appoint each person to succeed such additional commissioner. The term of office of such person begins during the terms of office of the commissioners appointing such person. A certificate of the appointment of any such additional commissioner of such regional authority shall be filed with the other records of the regional authority and shall be conclusive evidence of the due and proper appointment of such additional commissioner.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4510 Compensation; traveling expenses; certificate of appointment filed with municipal or county clerk; evidence.

A commissioner of an authority shall receive no compensation for services, but shall be entitled to the necessary expenses, including traveling expenses, incurred in the discharge of the commissioner’s duties. Each commissioner shall hold office until a successor has been appointed and has qualified. A certificate of the appointment or reappointment of any commissioner shall be filed with the municipal or county clerk, as the case may be, and such certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the due and proper appointment of such commissioner.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4511 Power of authority; quorum; meetings; qualifications for appointment as commissioner.

The powers under this chapter vested in each slum clearance and redevelopment authority shall be exercised by the board of commissioners thereof. A majority of the commissioners shall constitute a quorum of such board for the purpose of conducting business and exercising the powers of the authority and for all other purposes. Action may be taken by the board upon a vote of a majority of the commissioners present, unless in any case the bylaws of the authority shall require a larger number. Meetings of the board of an authority may be held anywhere within the perimeter boundaries of the area of operation of the authority. Any persons may be appointed as commissioners of the authority if they reside within such area and are otherwise eligible for such appointments under this chapter.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4512 Officers; employees; duties and compensation; legal services.

The commissioners of an authority shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among the commissioners. An authority may employ an executive director, technical experts and such other officers, agents and employees, permanent and temporary, as it may require, and shall determine their qualifications, duties and compensation. For such legal services as it may require, an authority may, with the approval of the governing body, call upon the chief law officer of the communities within its area of operation or it may employ its own counsel and legal staff. An authority may delegate to 1 or more of its agents or employees such powers or duties as it may deem proper.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4513 Removal; hearing; filing of proceedings in office of municipal or county clerk’s office.

For inefficiency or neglect of duty or misconduct in office, a commissioner of an authority may be removed by the official or public body which appointed such commissioner, but a commissioner shall be removed only after a hearing and after the commissioner shall have been given a copy of the charges at least 10 days prior to such hearing and have had an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel. In the event of the removal of any commissioner, a record of the proceedings, together with the charges and findings thereon, shall be filed in the office of the municipal or county clerk, as the case may be.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4514 Actions or proceedings; proof of adoption of resolutions as evidence.

In any suit, action or proceeding involving the validity or enforcement of or relating to any contract of or bonds issued by an authority, the authority shall be conclusively deemed to have become established and authorized to transact business and exercise its powers under this chapter upon proof of the adoption of the appropriate resolution prescribed in § 4503 or § 4505 of this title. Each such resolution shall be deemed sufficient if it authorizes the exercise of powers under this chapter by the authority or other public body and finds in substantially the terms provided in § 4504 of this title (no further detail being necessary) that the conditions therein enumerated exist. A copy of such resolution duly certified by the municipal or county clerk, as the case may be, shall be admissible in evidence in any suit, action or proceeding.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4515 Interest in contracts; disclosure of interest; violations.

No commissioner or employee of an authority shall voluntarily acquire any interest, direct or indirect, in any redevelopment project or in any property included or planned by the authority to be included in any such project, or in any contract or proposed contract in connection with any such project. Where the acquisition is not voluntary, such commissioner or employee shall immediately disclose such interest in writing to the authority and such disclosure shall be entered upon the minutes of the authority. If any commissioner or employee of an authority presently owns or controls or owned or controlled within the preceding 2 years an interest, direct or indirect, in any property included or planned by the authority to be included in any redevelopment project, the commissioner or employee immediately shall disclose such interest in writing to the authority and such disclosure shall be entered upon the minutes of the authority. Upon such disclosure such commissioner or employee shall not participate in any action by the authority affecting such property. Any violation of this section shall constitute misconduct in office.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4516 Powers of an authority.

An authority shall constitute a public body corporate and politic, exercising public and essential governmental functions, and having all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this chapter, including the following powers in addition to others granted in this chapter: (1) To sue and to be sued; to have a seal and to alter the same at pleasure; to have perpetual succession; to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers of the authority; and to make and from time to time amend and repeal bylaws, rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this chapter, to carry out the provisions of this chapter; (2) To prepare or cause to be prepared and recommend redevelopment plans to the governing body of the community or communities within its area of operation and to undertake and carry out redevelopment projects within its area of operation; (3) To arrange or contract for the furnishing or repair, by any person or agency, public or private, of services, privileges, works, streets, roads, public utilities or other facilities for or in connection with a redevelopment project; and (notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this chapter or any other provision of law), to agree to any conditions that it may deem reasonable and appropriate attached to federal financial assistance and imposed pursuant to federal law relating to the determination of prevailing salaries or wages or compliance with labor standards, in the undertaking or carrying out of a redevelopment project, and to include in any contract let in connection with such a project, provisions to fulfill such of said conditions as it may deem reasonable and appropriate; (4) Within its area of operation, to purchase, lease, obtain options upon, acquire by gift, grant, bequest, devise, eminent domain or otherwise, any real or personal property or any interest therein, together with any improvements thereon, necessary or incidental to a redevelopment project; to hold, improve, clear or prepare for redevelopment any such property; to sell, lease, exchange, transfer, assign, subdivide, retain for its own use, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber or dispose of any real or personal property or any interest therein; to enter into contracts with redevelopers of property containing covenants, restrictions and conditions regarding the use of such property for residential, commercial, industrial, recreational purposes or for public purposes in accordance with the redevelopment plan and such other covenants, restrictions and conditions as the authority may deem necessary to a recurrence of slum or blighted areas or to effectuate the purposes of this chapter; to make any of the covenants, restrictions or conditions of the foregoing contracts covenants running with the land, and to provide appropriate remedies for any breach of any such covenants or conditions, including the right in the authority to terminate such contracts and any interest in the property created pursuant thereto; to borrow money and issue bonds and provide security for loans or bonds; to insure or provide for the insurance of any real or personal property or operation of the authority against any risks or hazards, including the power to pay premiums on any such insurance; and to enter into any contracts necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. No statutory provision with respect to the acquisition, clearance or disposition of property by other public bodies shall restrict an authority or other public body exercising powers hereunder, in such functions, unless the General Assembly shall specifically so state; (5) Within its area of operation, to enter into any building or property in any urban renewal area in order to make inspections, surveys, appraisals, soundings or test borings, and to obtain an order for this purpose from a court of competent jurisdiction in the event entry is denied or resisted; (6) To invest any funds held in reserves or sinking funds or any funds not required for immediate disbursement, in property or securities in which savings banks may legally invest funds subject to their control; to redeem its bonds at the redemption price established therein or to purchase its bonds at less than redemption price, all bonds so redeemed or purchased to be cancelled; (7) To borrow money and to apply for and accept advances, loans, grants, contributions and any other form of financial assistance from the federal government, the State, county, municipality or other public body or from any sources, public or private, for the purposes of this chapter, to give such security as may be required and to enter into and carry out contracts in connection therewith; an authority, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, may include in any contract for financial assistance with the federal government for a redevelopment project such conditions imposed pursuant to federal law as the authority may deem reasonable and appropriate and which are not inconsistent with the purposes of this chapter; (8) Acting through 1 or more commissioners or other persons designated by the authority, to conduct examinations and investigations and to hear testimony and take proof under oath at public or private hearings on any matter material for its information; to administer oaths, and to issue commissions for the examination of witnesses who are outside of the State or unable to attend before the authority, or excused from attendance; to make available to appropriate agencies or public officials (including those charged with the duty of abating or requiring the correction of nuisances or like conditions or of demolishing unsafe or insanitary structures or eliminating slums or conditions of blight within its area of operation) its findings and recommendations with regard to any building or property where conditions exist which are dangerous to the public health, safety, morals or welfare; (9) Within its area of operation, to make or have made all surveys, appraisals, studies and plans (but not including the preparation of a general plan for the community) necessary to the carrying out of the purposes of this chapter and to contract or cooperate with any and all persons or agencies, public or private, in the making and carrying out of such surveys, appraisals, studies and plans; (10) To prepare plans and provide reasonable assistance for the relocation of families displaced from a redevelopment project area to permit the carrying out of the redevelopment project, to the extent essential for acquiring possession of and clearing such area or parts thereof; (11) With the approval of the local government body: a. Prior to approval of an urban renewal plan, or by approval of any modification of the plan, to acquire real property in an urban renewal area, demolish and remove any structures on the property, and pay all costs related to the acquisition, demolition, or removal, including any administrative or relocation expenses; and b. To assume the responsibility to bear any loss that may arise as the result of the exercise of authority under this paragraph in the event that the real property is not made part of the urban renewal project; (12) Within its area of operation, to make or have made all surveys and plans necessary to the carrying out of the purposes of this chapter, as amended, and to contract with any person, public or private, in making and carrying out such plans and to adopt or approve, modify and amend such plans, which plans may include, but are not limited to: a. Plans for carrying out a program of voluntary or compulsory repair and rehabilitation of buildings and improvements, b. Plans for the enforcement of state and local laws, codes and regulations relating to the use of land and the use and occupancy of buildings and improvements and to the compulsory repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal of buildings and improvements, and c. Appraisals, title searches, surveys, studies and other plans and work necessary to prepare for the undertaking of urban renewal projects and related activities; and to develop, test and report methods and techniques, and carry out demonstrations and activities for the prevention and the elimination of slums and urban blight, and to apply for, accept and utilize grants of funds from the federal government for such purposes; (13) To engage in rehabilitation and conservation activities as defined in § 4501 of this title, as amended; (14) To make such expenditures as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and to make expenditures from funds obtained from the federal government without regard to any other laws pertaining to the making and approval of appropriations and expenditures; (15) To exercise all or any part or combination of powers herein granted.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4517 Approval of redevelopment plans.

An authority shall not acquire real property for a redevelopment project unless the governing body of the community in which the redevelopment project area is located has approved the redevelopment plan, as prescribed in § 4525 of this title.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4518 Finding of necessity by local governing body.

An authority shall not exercise the authority conferred upon municipalities or communities by this chapter until after the local governing body shall have adopted a resolution finding that: (1) One or more slum or blighted areas shall exist in such municipality or community; and (2) The rehabilitation, conservation, redevelopment or a combination thereof, of such area or areas is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety, morals or welfare of the residents of such municipality or community.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4519 General plan prior to recommendation of redevelopment plan.

An authority shall not recommend a redevelopment plan to the governing body of the community in which the redevelopment project area is located until a general plan for the development of the community has been prepared.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4520 Preparation of redevelopment plan; contents.

(a) The authority may itself prepare or cause to be prepared a redevelopment plan or any person or agency, public or private, may submit such a plan to an authority. A redevelopment plan shall be sufficiently complete to indicate its relationship to definite local objectives as to appropriate land uses, improved traffic, public transportation, public utilities, recreational and community facilities and other public improvements and the proposed land uses and building requirements in the redevelopment project area and shall include without being limited to: (1) The boundaries of the redevelopment project area, with a map showing the existing uses and condition of the real property therein; (2) A land use plan showing proposed uses of the area; (3) Information showing the standards of population densities, land coverage and building intensities in the area after redevelopment; (4) A statement of the proposed changes, if any, in zoning ordinances or maps, street layouts, street levels or grades, building codes and ordinances; (5) A site plan of the area; and (6) A statement as to the kind and number of additional public facilities or utilities which will be required to support the new land uses in the area after redevelopment. (b) The authority, or any public body authorized to perform planning work, may prepare a general neighborhood renewal plan for urban renewal areas which may be of such scope that urban renewal activities may have to be carried out in stages over an estimated period of up to 10 years. Such plan may include, but is not limited to, a preliminary plan which: (1) Outlines the urban renewal activities proposed for the area involved; (2) Provides a framework for the preparation of urban renewal plans; and (3) Indicates generally the land uses, population density, building coverage, prospective requirements for rehabilitation and improvement of property and portions of the area contemplated for clearance and redevelopment. A general neighborhood renewal plan shall, in the determination of the local governing body, conform to the general plan of the locality as a whole and to the workable program of the municipality. (c) The authority, or any public body authorized to perform planning work, may prepare or complete a communitywide plan or program for urban renewal which shall conform to the general plan for the development of the municipality or community as a whole and may include, but shall not be limited to, identification of slum or blighted areas, measurement of blight, determination of resources needed and available to renew such areas, identification of potential project areas and types of action contemplated and scheduling of urban renewal activities.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4521 Submission of plan for review and recommendations.

Prior to recommending a redevelopment plan to the governing body for approval, an authority shall submit such plan to the planning commission of the community in which the redevelopment project area is located for review and recommendations as to its conformity with the general plan for the development of the community as a whole. The planning commission shall submit its written recommendations with respect to the proposed redevelopment plan to the authority within 30 days after receipt of the plan for review. Upon receipt of the recommendations of the planning commission or, if no recommendations are received within the 30 days, then without such recommendations, an authority may recommend the redevelopment plan to the governing body of the community for approval.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4522 Considerations prior to recommendation of plan.

Prior to recommending a redevelopment plan to the governing body for approval, an authority shall consider whether the proposed land uses and building requirements in the redevelopment project area are designed with the general purpose of accomplishing, in conformance with the general plan, a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the community and its environs which will, in accordance with present and future needs, promote health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and the general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development, including, among other things, adequate provision for traffic, vehicular parking, the promotion of safety from fire, panic and other dangers, adequate provision for light and air, the promotion of the healthful and convenient distribution of population, the provision of adequate transportation, water, sewerage and other public utilities, schools, parks, recreational and community facilities and other public requirements, the promotion of sound design and arrangement, the wise and efficient expenditure of public funds, the prevention of the recurrence of insanitary or unsafe dwelling accommodations, slums, or conditions of blight and the provision of adequate, safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4523 Statement of proposed costs; revenue, finances and relocation of displaced families.

The recommendation of a redevelopment plan by an authority to the governing body shall be accompanied by the recommendations, if any, of the planning commission concerning the redevelopment plan, a statement of the proposed method and estimated cost of the acquisition and preparation for redevelopment of the redevelopment project area and the estimated proceeds or revenues from its disposal to redevelopers, a statement of the proposed method of financing the redevelopment project and a statement of a feasible method proposed for the relocation of families to be displaced from the redevelopment project area.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4524 Public hearing; notice; publication.

The governing body of the community shall hold a public hearing on any redevelopment plan or substantial modification thereof recommended by the authority, after reasonable public notice thereof by publication at least once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the community, the time of the hearing to be at least 10 days from the last publication. The notice shall describe the time, date, place and purpose of the hearing and shall also generally identify the area to be redeveloped under the plan. All interested parties shall be afforded at such public hearing a reasonable opportunity to express their views respecting the proposed redevelopment plan.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4525 Approval of plan; required findings.

(a) Following the hearing required by § 4524 of this title, the local governing body may approve an urban renewal project and the plan therefor if it finds that: (1) A feasible method exists for the location of families who will be displaced from the urban renewal area, in decent, safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations within their means and without undue hardship to such families; (2) The urban renewal plan conforms to the general plan of the municipality or community as a whole; (3) The urban renewal plan gives due consideration to the provision of adequate park and recreational areas and facilities that may be desirable for neighborhood improvement, with special consideration for the health, safety and welfare of children residing in the general vicinity of the site covered by the plan; and (4) The urban renewal plan will afford maximum opportunity, consistent with the sound needs of the municipality or community as a whole, for the rehabilitation or redevelopment of the urban renewal area by private enterprise. (b) If the urban renewal area consists of an area of open land to be acquired by the municipality or community, such area shall not be so acquired unless: (1) If it is to be developed for residential uses, the local governing body shall determine that a shortage of housing of sound standards and design which is decent, safe and sanitary exists in the municipality or community, that the need for housing accommodations has been or will be increased as a result of the clearance of slums in other areas, that the conditions of blight in the area and the shortage of decent, safe and sanitary housing cause or contribute to an increase in and spread of disease and crime, and constitute a menace to the public health, safety, morals, or welfare, and that the acquisition of the area for residential uses is an integral part of and essential to the program of the municipality or community; or (2) If the area is to be developed for nonresidential uses, the local governing body shall determine that such nonresidential uses are necessary and appropriate to facilitate the proper growth and development of the community in accordance with sound planning standards and local community objectives, which acquisition may require the exercise of governmental action as provided in this chapter, because of defective or unusual conditions of title, diversity of ownership, tax delinquency, improper subdivisions, outmoded street patterns, deterioration of site, economic disuse, unsuitable topography or faulty lot layouts, the need for the correlation of the area with other areas of a municipality or community, by streets and modern traffic requirements, or any combination of such factors or other conditions which retard development of the area.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4526 Modification of plan; notice; objections.

An urban renewal plan which has not been approved by the governing body when recommended by the authority may again be recommended to it with any modifications deemed advisable. A redevelopment plan may be modified at any time by the authority; provided, that, if modified after the lease or sale of real property in the urban renewal project area, the modification must be consented to by the redeveloper or redevelopers, or any successor or successors who acquired 75% of the land in the project area and whose interest may be affected by the proposed modification. The notice of the proposed modification shall be sent by certified mail to the last known address of the redeveloper or redevelopers of the real property, or any successor or successors, who shall have 30 days from the date of the notice to state objections to the modification. These objections will be submitted to the governing body at the time of the hearing. If no objections are made within the 30 days from the date of the notice, then the authority may recommend the plan and state to the governing body that there were no objections.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4527 Disposal of property in redevelopment project.

(a) An authority may sell, lease, exchange or otherwise transfer real property or any interest therein in a redevelopment project area to any redeveloper for residential, recreational, commercial, industrial or other uses or for public use in accordance with the redevelopment plan, subject to such covenants, conditions and restrictions as it may deem to be in the public interest or to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Such sale, lease, exchange or other transfer, and any agreement relating thereto, may be made only after, or subject to, the approval of the redevelopment plan by the governing body of the community. Such real property shall be sold, leased or transferred at its fair value for uses in accordance with the redevelopment plan, notwithstanding such value may be less than the cost of acquiring and preparing such property for redevelopment. In determining the fair value of real property for uses in accordance with the redevelopment plan, an authority shall take into account and give consideration to the uses and purposes required by such plan, the restrictions upon, and the covenants, conditions and obligations assumed by the redeveloper of, such property, the objectives of the redevelopment plan for the prevention of the recurrence of slum or blighted areas and such other matters as the authority shall specify as being appropriate. In fixing rentals and selling prices, an authority shall give consideration to appraisals of the property for such uses made by land experts employed by the authority. (b) An authority shall, by public notice by publication once each week for 2 consecutive weeks in a newspaper having a general circulation in the community, prior to the consideration of any redevelopment contract proposal, invite proposals from, and make available all pertinent information to private redevelopers or any persons interested in undertaking the redevelopment of an area, or any part thereof, which the governing body has declared to be in need of redevelopment. Such notice shall identify the area and shall state that such further information as is available may be obtained at the office of the authority. The authority shall consider all redevelopment proposals and the financial and legal ability of the prospective redevelopers to carry out their proposals and may negotiate with any redevelopers for proposals for the purchase or lease of any real property in the redevelopment project area. The authority may accept such redevelopment contract proposal as it deems to be in the public interest and in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter; provided, that the authority has, not less than 30 days prior thereto, notified the governing body in writing of its intention to accept such redevelopment contract proposal. Thereafter, the authority may execute such redevelopment contract in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section and deliver deeds, leases and other instruments and take all steps necessary to effectuate such redevelopment contract. At its discretion, the authority may, without regard to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, dispose of real property in a redevelopment project area to private redevelopers for redevelopment under such reasonable competitive bidding procedures as it shall prescribe, subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. Further the authority may, at its discretion, dispose of real property in a redevelopment project area to public, quasi-public, charitable and religious corporations by negotiation without resorting to the provisions of this subsection. (c) An authority may temporarily operate and maintain real property in a redevelopment project area pending the disposition of the property for redevelopment without regard to the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, for such uses and purposes as may be deemed desirable even though not in conformity with the redevelopment plan.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4528 Eminent domain.

An authority may acquire by the exercise of the power of eminent domain any real property which it may deem necessary for a redevelopment project or for its purposes under this chapter after the adoption by it of a resolution declaring that the acquisition of the real property described therein is necessary for such purposes. An authority may exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner prescribed by Chapter 61 of Title 10. Property already devoted to a public use may be acquired in like manner. No real property belonging to the municipality, the county or the State may be acquired without its consent. When an authority has found and determined by resolution that certain real property described therein is necessary for a redevelopment project or for its purposes under this chapter, the resolution shall be conclusive evidence that the acquisition of such real property is necessary for the purposes described therein.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4529 Acquisition and development of undeveloped vacant land.

Upon a determination by resolution of the governing body of the community in which such land is located that the acquisition and development of undeveloped vacant land, not within a slum or blighted area, is essential to the proper clearance or redevelopment of slum or blighted areas or a necessary part of the general slum clearance program of the community, the acquisition, planning, preparation for development or disposal of such land shall constitute a redevelopment project which may be undertaken by the authority in the manner provided in this chapter. The determination by the governing body shall be in lieu of the declaration required by § 4518 of this title, but shall not be made until the governing body finds that there is a shortage of decent, safe and sanitary housing in the community, that such undeveloped vacant land will be developed for predominantly residential uses, and that the provision of dwelling accommodations on such undeveloped vacant land is necessary to accomplish the relocation, in decent, safe and sanitary housing in the community of families to be displaced from slum or blighted areas which are to be redeveloped. In the undertaking of redevelopment projects on a regional or unified metropolitan basis, involving the acquisition and development of undeveloped vacant land in 1 community as an adjunct to the redevelopment of slum or blighted areas in another community, each determination or finding required in this section shall be made by the governing body of the community with respect to which the determination or finding relates.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4530 Issuance of bonds.

(a) An authority may issue bonds from time to time at its discretion for any of its corporate purposes including the payment of principal and interest upon any advances for surveys and plans for redevelopment projects. An authority may also issue refunding bonds for the purpose of paying or retiring or in exchange for bonds previously issued by it. An authority may issue such types of bonds as it may determine, including (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) bonds on which the principal and interest are payable: (1) Exclusively from the income, proceeds and revenues of the redevelopment project financed with the proceeds of such bonds; or (2) Exclusively from the income, proceeds and revenues of any of its redevelopment projects whether or not they are financed in whole or in part with the proceeds of such bonds. Any such bonds may be additionally secured by a pledge of any loan, grant or contributions, or parts thereof, from the federal government or other source, or a mortgage on any redevelopment project or projects of the authority. (b) Neither the commissioners of an authority nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds by reason of the issuance thereof. The bonds and other obligations of the authority (and such bonds and obligations shall so state on their face) shall not be a debt of the municipality, the county or the State, nor in any event shall such bonds or obligations be payable out of any funds or properties other than those of such authority acquired for the purposes of this chapter. The bonds shall not constitute an indebtedness within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory debt limitation or restriction. Bonds of an authority are declared to be issued for an essential public and governmental purpose and to be public instrumentalities and, together with interest thereon and income therefrom, shall be exempt from all taxes. (c) Bonds of an authority shall be authorized by its resolution and may be issued in 1 or more series and shall bear such date or dates, be payable upon demand or mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates, not exceeding 6% per annum, be in such denomination or denominations, be in such form either coupon or registered, carry such conversion or registration privileges, have such rank or priority, be executed in such manner, be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places and be subject to such terms of redemption (with or without premium) as such resolution, its trust indenture or mortgage may provide. (d) The bonds shall be sold at not less than par at public sale held after notice published once at least 10 days prior to such sale in a legal newspaper having a general circulation in the area of operation and in such other medium of publication as the authority may determine. Such bonds may be sold to the federal government at private sale at not less than par, and, in the event less than all of the bonds authorized in connection with any project or projects are sold to the federal government, the balance of such bonds may be sold at private sale at not less than par at an interest cost to the authority of not to exceed the interest cost to the authority of the portion of the bonds sold to the federal government. (e) In case any of the commissioners or officers of the authority whose signatures appear on any bonds or coupons shall cease to be such commissioners or officers before the delivery of such bonds, such signatures shall, nevertheless, be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if such commissioners or officers had remained in office until such delivery. Any provision of any law to the contrary notwithstanding, any bonds issued pursuant to this chapter shall be fully negotiable. (f) In any suit, action or proceedings involving the validity or enforceability of any bond of an authority or the security therefor, any such bond reciting in substance that it has been issued by the authority to aid in financing a redevelopment project, as defined in § 4501 of this title, shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued for such purpose and such project shall be conclusively deemed to have been planned, located and carried out in accordance with this chapter.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4531 Powers in connection with issuance of bonds.

(a) In connection with the issuance of bonds or the incurring of obligations under leases and in order to secure the payment of such bonds or obligations, an authority, in addition to its other powers, may: (1) Pledge all or any part of its gross or net rents, fees or revenues to which its right then exists or may thereafter come into existence; (2) Mortgage all or any part of its real or personal property, then owned or thereafter acquired; (3) Covenant against pledging all or any part of its rents, fees and revenues, or against mortgaging all or any part of its real or personal property, to which its right or title then exists or any thereafter come into existence or against permitting or suffering any lien on such revenues or property, covenant with respect to limitations on its right to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any redevelopment project or any part thereof, and covenant as to what other, or additional debts or obligations may be incurred by it; (4) Covenant as to the bonds to be issued and as to the issuance of such bonds in escrow or otherwise, and as to the use and disposition of the proceeds thereof, provide for the replacement of lost, destroyed or mutilated bonds, covenant against extending the time for the payment of its bonds or interest thereon, and covenant for the redemption of the bonds and provide the terms and conditions thereof; (5) Covenant (subject to the limitations contained in this chapter) as to the amount of revenues to be raised each year or other period of time by rents, fees and other revenues, and as to the use and disposition to be made thereof, create or authorize the creation of special funds for moneys held for operating costs, debt service, reserves or other purposes and covenant as to the use and disposition of the moneys held in such funds; (6) Prescribe the procedure, if any, by which the terms of any contract with bondholders may be amended or abrogated, the amount of bonds the holders of which must consent thereto and the manner in which such consent may be given; (7) Covenant as to the use, maintenance and replacement of any or all of its real or personal property, the insurance to be carried thereon and the use and disposition of insurance moneys, and warrant its title to such property; (8) Covenant as to the rights, liabilities, powers and duties arising upon the breach by it of any covenants, condition or obligation, and covenant and prescribe as to events of default and terms and conditions upon which any or all of its bonds or obligations shall become or may be declared due before maturity and as to the terms and conditions upon which such declaration and its consequences may be waived; (9) Vest in any obligees of the authority the right to enforce the payment of the bonds or any covenants securing or relating to the bonds, vest in any obligee or obligees holding a specified amount in bonds the right, in the event of a default by the authority, take possession of and use, operate and manage any redevelopment project or any part thereof, title to which is in the authority, or any funds connected therewith, and collect the rents and revenues arising therefrom and dispose of such moneys in accordance with the agreement of the authority with such obligees, provide for the powers and duties of such obligees and limit the liabilities thereof, and provide the terms and conditions upon which such obligees may enforce any covenant or rights securing or relating to the bonds; and (10) Exercise all or any part or combination of the powers herein granted, make such covenants (other than and in addition to the covenants herein expressly authorized) and do any and all such acts and things as may be necessary or convenient or desirable in order to secure its bonds, or, at the absolute discretion of the authority, as will tend to make the bonds more marketable notwithstanding that such covenants, acts or things may not be enumerated herein. (b) An authority may by its resolution, trust indenture, mortgage, lease or other contract confer upon any obligee holding or representing a specified amount in bonds, the right (in addition to all rights that may otherwise be conferred), upon the happening of an event of default as defined in such resolution or instruments, by suit, action or proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction: (1) To cause possession of any redevelopment project or any part thereof, title to which is in the authority, to be surrendered to any such obligee; (2) To obtain the appointment of a receiver of any redevelopment project of such authority or any part thereof, title to which is in the authority and of the rents and profits therefrom. If such receiver be appointed, the receiver may enter and take possession of, carry out, operate and maintain such project or any part thereof and collect and receive all fees, rents, revenues or other charges thereafter arising therefrom and shall keep such moneys in a separate account or accounts and apply the same in accordance with the obligations of such authority as the court shall direct; and (3) To require such authority and the commissioners, officers, agents and employees thereof to account as if it and they were the trustees of an express trust.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4532 Rights of obligees.

An obligee of an authority may, in addition to all other rights which may be conferred on such obligee, subject only to any contractual restrictions binding upon such obligee: (1) By mandamus, suit, action or proceeding at law or in equity compel such authority and the commissioners, officers, agents or employees thereof to perform each and every term, provision and covenant contained in any contract of such authority with or for the benefit of such obligee and require the carrying out of any or all such covenants and agreements of such authority and the fulfillment of all duties imposed upon such authority by this chapter; (2) By suit, action or proceeding in equity, enjoin any acts or things which may be unlawful or the violation of any of the rights of such obligee of such authority.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4533 Bonds as legal investments.

All public officers, municipal corporations, political subdivisions and public bodies, all banks, trust companies, bankers, savings banks and institutions, building and loan associations, savings and loan associations, investment companies and other persons carrying on a banking business, all insurance companies, insurance associations and other persons carrying on an insurance business, and all executors, administrators, curators, trustees and other fiduciaries may legally invest any sinking funds, moneys or other funds belonging to them or within their control in any bonds or other obligations issued by an authority pursuant to this chapter or by any public housing or redevelopment authority or commission or agency or any other public body in the United States for redevelopment purposes, when such bonds and other obligations are secured by an agreement between the issuing agency and the federal government in which the issuing agency agrees to borrow from the federal government and the federal government agrees to lend to the issuing agency, prior to the maturity of such bonds or other obligations, moneys in an amount which (together with any other moneys irrevocably committed to the payment of interest on such bonds or other obligations) will suffice to pay the principal of such bonds or other obligations with interest to maturity thereon, which moneys under the terms of such agreement are required to be used for the purpose of paying the principal of and the interest on such bonds or other obligations at their maturity and such bonds and other obligations shall be authorized security for all public deposits. It is the purpose of this section to authorize any persons, political subdivisions and officers, public or private, to use any funds owned or controlled by them for the purchase of any such bonds or other obligations. However, nothing contained in this section with regard to legal investments shall be construed as relieving any person of any duty of exercising reasonable care in selecting securities.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4534 Conveyance to federal government on default.

In any contract for financial assistance with the federal government the authority may obligate itself (which obligation shall be specifically enforceable and shall not constitute a mortgage, notwithstanding any other laws) to convey to the federal government possession of or title to the redevelopment project and land therein to which such contract relates which is owned by the authority, upon the occurrence of a substantial default (as defined in such contract) with respect to the covenants or conditions to which the authority is subject, such contract may further provide that in case of such conveyance, the federal government may complete, operate, manage, lease, convey or otherwise deal with the redevelopment project in accordance with the terms of such contract; provided, that the contract requires that, as soon as practicable after the federal government is satisfied that all defaults with respect to the redevelopment project have been cured and that the redevelopment project will thereafter be operated in accordance with the terms of the contract, the federal government shall reconvey to the authority the redevelopment project as then constituted.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4535 Property of authority exempt from taxes, from levy and sale by virtue of an execution.

(a) All property including funds of an authority shall be exempt from levy and sale by virtue of an execution, and no execution or other judicial process shall issue against the same nor shall judgment against an authority be a charge or lien upon its property. The provisions of this section shall not apply to or limit the right of obligees to foreclose or otherwise enforce any mortgage of an authority or the right of obligees to pursue any remedies for the enforcement of any pledge or lien given by an authority on its rents, fees, grants or revenues. (b) The property of an authority is declared to be public property used for essential public and governmental purposes and such property and an authority shall be exempt from all taxes of the municipality, the county, the State or any political subdivision thereof. With respect to any property in a redevelopment project, the tax exemption provided in this section shall terminate when the authority sells, leases or otherwise disposes of such property to a redeveloper for redevelopment.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4536 Cooperation by public bodies.

(a) For the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the planning, undertaking or carrying out of a redevelopment project located within the area in which it is authorized to act, any public body may, upon such terms, with or without consideration, as it determines: (1) Dedicate, sell, convey or lease any of its interest in any property, or grant easements, licenses or any other rights or privileges therein to an authority; (2) Cause parks, playgrounds, recreational, community, educational, water, sewer or drainage facilities, or any other works which it is otherwise empowered to undertake, to be furnished in connection with a redevelopment project; (3) Furnish, dedicate, close, vacate, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan or replan streets, roads, sidewalks, ways or other places, which it is otherwise empowered to undertake; (4) Plan or replan, zone or rezone any part of the public body or make exceptions from building regulations and ordinances if such functions are of the character which the public body is otherwise empowered to perform; (5) Cause administrative and other services to be furnished to the authority of the character which the public body is otherwise empowered to undertake or furnish for the same or other purposes; (6) Incur the entire expense of any public improvements made by such public body in exercising the powers granted in this section; (7) Do any and all things necessary or convenient to aid and cooperate in the planning or carrying out of a redevelopment plan; (8) Lend, grant or contribute funds to an authority; (9) Employ any funds belonging to or within the control of such public body, including funds derived from the sale or furnishing of property, service, or facilities to an authority, in the purchase of the bonds or other obligations of an authority and, as the holder of such bonds or other obligations, exercise the rights connected therewith; and (10) Enter into agreements (which may extend over any period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary), with an authority respecting action to be taken by such public body pursuant to any of the powers granted by this chapter and if at any time title to, or possession of, any redevelopment project is held by any public body or governmental agency, other than the authority, authorized by law to engage in the undertaking, carrying out or administration of redevelopment projects, including any agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the provisions of such agreements shall inure to the benefit of and may be enforced by such public body or governmental agency. (b) Any sale, conveyance, lease or agreement provided for in this section may be made by a public body without appraisal, public notice, advertisement or public bidding.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4537 Grant of funds by community.

Any community located in whole or in part within the area of operation of an authority may grant funds to an authority for the purpose of aiding such authority in carrying out any of its powers and functions under this chapter. To obtain funds for this purpose, the community may levy taxes and may issue and sell its bonds. Any bonds to be issued by the community pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be issued in the manner and within the limitations prescribed by the laws of this State for the issuance and authorization of bonds by a community for any public purpose.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4538 Cooperation between authorities.

Any 2 or more authorities may join or cooperate with one another in the exercise if any or all of the powers conferred for the purpose of planning, undertaking or financing a redevelopment project or projects located within the area or areas of operation of any 1 or more of such authorities. When a redevelopment project or projects are planned, undertaken or financed on a regional or unified metropolitan basis, the terms “governing body” and “community” as used in this chapter shall mean the governing bodies of the appropriate communities and the appropriate communities cooperating in the planning, undertaking or financing of such project or projects.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4539 Annual report.

An authority shall at least once a year file with the governing body of the community a report of its activities for the preceding year and shall make any recommendations with reference to any additional legislation or other action that may be necessary in order to carry out this chapter.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4540 Title of purchaser.

Any instrument executed by an authority and purporting to convey any right, title or interest in any property under this chapter shall be conclusive evidence of compliance with this chapter insofar as title or other interest of any bona fide purchasers, lessees or transferees of such property is concerned.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4541 Preparation of general plan by local governing body.

The governing body of any community which is not otherwise authorized to create a planning commission with power to prepare a general plan for the development of the community may prepare such a general plan prior to the initiation and carrying out of a redevelopment project under this chapter.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4542 Powers conferred as additional.

The powers conferred by this chapter shall be in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law.

Del. Code tit. 31, § 4543 Inconsistent provisions.

Insofar as this chapter is inconsistent with any other law, this chapter shall be controlling.

Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title31/c045/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026