16. a. If, in order to implement any of the goals and objectives set forth in the plan, the corporation shall find it necessary or convenient to acquire any real property within its jurisdiction, or if for any of its authorized purposes the corporation shall find it necessary to acquire any real property beyond its jurisdiction, whether for immediate or future use, the corporation may find and determine that such property, whether a fee simple absolute or a lesser interest, is required for public use, and, upon such determination, the property shall be deemed to be required for a public use until otherwise determined by the corporation; and the determination shall not be affected by the fact that the property has heretofore been taken for, or is then devoted to, a public use of the State or any municipality, county, school district, or other local or regional district, authority or agency, but the public use in the hands or under the control of the corporation shall be deemed superior.

b. If the corporation is unable to agree with the owner or owners thereof upon terms for the acquisition of any real property, for any reason whatsoever, then the corporation may acquire that property, whether a fee simple absolute or a lesser interest, in the manner provided in the “Eminent Domain Act of 1971,” P.L.1971, c.361 (C. 20:3-1 et seq.).

c. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections a. and b. of this section, the corporation shall not acquire or exercise control over any property in the custody of the State House Commission pursuant to R.S.52:20-1 et seq. without the written consent of that commission.

d. For the purposes of any State surplus property located within the district, the corporation is authorized to act as the redevelopment entity on behalf of the State as provided in section 4 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C. 40A:12A-4) pursuant to a memorandum of understanding with the State Treasurer.

L.1987, c.58, s.16; amended 2009, c.252, s.5.