Sec. 22. (a) This section does not apply to the sale or grant of real property or interests in real property to urban enterprise associations or community development corporations under section 22.2 of this chapter. The provisions of this section concerning publication and bidding procedures do not apply to sales, leases, or other dispositions of real property to other public agencies for public purposes.

(b) Before offering for sale or lease to the public any of the real property acquired, the redevelopment commission shall cause two (2) separate appraisals of the sale value, or rental value in case of a lease, to be made by independent appraisers. However, if the real property is less than five (5) acres in size and the fair market value of the real property or interest has been appraised by one (1) independent appraiser at less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), the second appraisal may be made by a qualified employee of the department of redevelopment. In making appraisals, the appraisers shall take into consideration the size, location, and physical condition of the parcels, the advantages accruing to the parcels under the redevelopment plan, and all other factors having a bearing on the value of the parcels. The appraisals are solely for the information of the commission, and are not open for public inspection.

(c) The redevelopment commission shall then prepare an offering sheet showing the parcels to be offered and the offering prices, which may not be less than the average of the two (2) appraisals. Copies of the offering sheets shall be furnished to prospective buyers on request. Maps and plats showing the size and location of all parcels to be offered shall also be kept available for inspection at the office of the department.

(d) A notice shall be published in accordance with IC 5-3-1. The notice must state that at a designated time the commission will open and consider written offers for the purchase or lease of the real property being offered. In giving the notice it is not necessary to describe each parcel separately, or to specify the exact terms of disposition, but the notice:

(1) must state the general location of the parcels;

(2) call attention generally to any limitations on the use to be made of the real property offered; and

(3) state that a bid submitted by a trust (as defined in IC 30-4-1-1(a)) must identify each:

(A) beneficiary of the trust; and

(B) settlor empowered to revoke or modify the trust.

(e) At the time fixed in the notice the commission shall open and consider any offers received. These offers may consist of consideration in the form of cash, other property, or a combination of cash and other property. However, with respect to property other than cash, the offer must be accompanied by evidence of the property's fair market value that is satisfactory to the commission in its sole discretion. All offers received shall be opened at public meetings of the commission and shall be kept open for public inspection.

(f) The commission may reject any bids and may make awards to the highest and best bidders. In determining the best bids, the commission shall take into consideration the following factors:

(1) The size and character of the improvements proposed to be made by the bidder on the real property bid on.

(2) The bidder's plans and ability to improve the real property with reasonable promptness.

(3) Whether the real property when improved will be sold or rented.

(4) The bidder's proposed sale or rental prices.

(5) The bidder's compliance with subsection (d)(3).

(6) Any factors that will assure the commission that the sale or lease, if made, will further the execution of the redevelopment plan and best serve the interest of the community, from the standpoint of both human and economic welfare.

(g) The commission may contract with a bidder in regard to the factors listed in subsection (f), and the contract may provide for the deposit of surety bonds, the making of good faith deposits, liquidated damages, the right of repurchase, or other rights and remedies if the bidder fails to comply with the contract.

(h) After the opening and consideration of the written offers filed in response to the notice, the commission may dispose of the remainder of the available real property either at public sale or by private negotiation carried on by the commission, its regular employees, or real estate experts employed for that purpose. For a period of thirty (30) days after the opening of the written offers, no sale or lease may be made at a price or rental less than that shown on the offering sheet, except in the case of sales or rentals of ten (10) or more parcels to a purchaser or lessee who agrees to improve the parcels immediately, but after that period the commission may adjust the offering prices in the manner the commission considers necessary to further the redevelopment plan.

(i) A conveyance under this section may not be made until the agreed consideration has been paid, unless the redevelopment commission passes a resolution expressly providing that the consideration does not have to be paid before the conveyance is made. In addition, such a resolution may provide for a mortgage or other security. All deeds, leases, land sale contracts, or other conveyances, and all contracts and agreements, including contracts of purchase and sale and contracts for advancements, loans, grants, contributions, or other aid, shall be executed in the name of the "City (or Town or County) of ______________, Department of Redevelopment", and shall be signed by the president or vice president of the redevelopment commission and attested by its secretary. A seal is not required on these instruments or any other instruments executed in the name of the department.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-7-7-19; 18-7-7-20; 18-7-7.1-19; 18-7-7.1-20.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.33. Amended by Acts 1981, P.L.45, SEC.30; P.L.114-1989, SEC.6; P.L.336-1989(ss), SEC.51; P.L.31-1994, SEC.17; P.L.39-1994, SEC.24; P.L.113-2002, SEC.5.