Sec. 36. (a) In addition to all of the other powers, authority, and jurisdiction of a redevelopment commission operating under this chapter, a commission may undertake a neighborhood development program. A neighborhood development program may include one (1) or more contiguous or noncontiguous areas needing redevelopment. These areas may include redevelopment project areas or urban renewal project areas.

     (b) Whenever the redevelopment commission finds that any area in the territory under their jurisdiction is an area needing redevelopment to an extent that cannot be corrected by regulatory processes or by the ordinary operations of private enterprise without resort to the provisions of this chapter, and that the public health and welfare would be benefited by the redevelopment or urban renewal of that area under this chapter, the commission shall prepare a description and map showing the boundaries of the area to be included in the neighborhood development program.

     (c) After preparation of the description and map under subsection (b), the redevelopment commission shall adopt a resolution declaring, confirming, and delineating the general boundaries of the area and of the parts of that area that are to be designated as redevelopment project areas or urban renewal areas. However, an area may not be designated as a redevelopment project area or urban renewal area unless the required appraisals, maps, plats and plans have been prepared and all other requirements of this chapter are met.

     (d) Areas designated as redevelopment project areas or urban renewal areas under this section are considered to be redevelopment project areas or urban renewal areas for all purposes of this chapter. Areas within the neighborhood development program area that are not so designated are not considered to be redevelopment project areas or urban renewal areas until designated as such by an amendment to the neighborhood development plan, adopted in the same manner and with the same procedure as a declaratory and confirmatory resolution declaring an area a redevelopment project area or urban renewal area.

     (e) The redevelopment commission may make studies, appraisals, maps, plats, and plans of areas within the neighborhood development program area that have not been designated as redevelopment project areas or urban renewal project areas. However, the commission may not acquire any land in those areas until the neighborhood development plan has been amended to designate that land as a part of an urban renewal or redevelopment project area.

     (f) The redevelopment commission may amend the neighborhood development plan, in the manner prescribed by subsection (d), to include additional areas in the neighborhood development program areas, either generally or as urban renewal or redevelopment project areas.

     (g) The redevelopment commission may apply for and accept advances, loans, grants, contributions, and any other forms of financial assistance from the federal government, may contract with the federal government for any costs arising from a neighborhood development program, or may otherwise contract with the federal government concerning a neighborhood development program, to the same extent as they may for urban renewal project areas.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-7-7-34.5; 18-7-7.1-35.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.33. Amended by P.L.185-2005, SEC.21.