                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

BLIGHTED AREAS CONSTITUTE PUBLIC DANGER (§ 58.1-3245.1)

It is hereby found and declared that blighted areas exist in the Commonwealth,
and these areas impair and endanger the health, safety, morals and welfare of
the citizens because commercial, residential and industrial structures or
improvements are subject to dilapidation, deterioration, inadequate ventilation,
and inadequate public utilities. It is a public purpose to provide public
facilities including, but not limited to, roads, water, sewers, parks, and real
estate devoted to open-space use as that term is defined in § 58.1-3230 within
redevelopment and conservation areas to encourage the private development in
such areas in order to eliminate blighted conditions. It is essential to the
public interest that governing bodies have authority to finance development
project costs by using real estate tax increments to encourage private
investment in development project areas.

HISTORY: 1988, c. 776; 1990, c. 296; 1999, cc. 162, 190; 2006, c. 784.