Sec. 19. (a) If no appeal is taken or if an appeal is taken but is unsuccessful, the redevelopment commission shall proceed with the proposed project to the extent that money is available for that purpose.

(b) The redevelopment commission shall first approve and adopt a list of the real property and interests in real property to be acquired and the price to be offered to the owner of each parcel of interest. For properties and interests in real property that:

(1) are not for sale at auction; or

(2) have a total purchase price (including land and structures, if any) of at least twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000);

the prices to be offered may not exceed the average of two (2) independent appraisals of fair market value procured by the commission except that appraisals are not required in transactions with other governmental agencies. The prices indicated on the list may not be exceeded unless specifically authorized by the commission or ordered by a court in condemnation proceedings. The commission may except from acquisition any real property in the area if the commission finds that such an acquisition is not necessary under the redevelopment plan. Appraisals made under this section are for the information of the commission and are not open for public inspection.

(c) Negotiations for the purchase of property may be carried on directly by the redevelopment commission, by its employees, or by expert negotiations, but no option, contract, or understanding relative to the purchase of real property is binding on the commission until approved and accepted by the commission in writing. The commission may authorize the payment of a nominal fee to bind an option and as a part of the consideration for conveyance may agree to pay the expense incident to the conveyance and determination of the title of the property. Payment for the property purchased shall be made when and as directed by the commission but only on delivery of proper instruments conveying the title or interest of the owner to the "City (or Town or County) of ______________, Department of Redevelopment". Notwithstanding the other provisions of this subsection, any agreement by the commission to:

(1) make payments for the property to be purchased for a term exceeding three (3) years; or

(2) pay a purchase price for the property that exceeds five million dollars ($5,000,000);

is subject to the prior approval of the legislative body of the unit.

(d) All real property and interests in real property acquired by the redevelopment commission are free and clear of all governmental liens, assessments, and other governmental charges except for current property taxes, which shall be prorated to the date of acquisition.

(e) Notwithstanding subsections (a) through (d), the redevelopment commission may, before the time referred to in this section, accept gifts of property needed for the redevelopment of redevelopment project areas if the property is free and clear of all governmental liens other than taxes, assessments, and other governmental charges. The commission may, before the time referred to in this section, take options on or contract for the acquisition of property needed for the redevelopment of redevelopment project areas if the options and contracts are not binding on the commission or the district until the time referred to in this section and until money is available to pay the consideration set out in the options or contracts.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-7-7-16; 18-7-7.1-16.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.33. Amended by P.L.114-1989, SEC.5; P.L.35-1990, SEC.56; P.L.185-2005, SEC.15; P.L.149-2014, SEC.10; P.L.52-2017, SEC.5; P.L.183-2018, SEC.2.