It is hereby declared that:

A. there exists in cities in the state of New Mexico serious conditions of congestion of street traffic, preventing free circulation of traffic, obstructing access to and use of both public and private property, increasing traffic hazards, impeding rapid and effective fighting of fires and the disposition of police forces and endangering the public peace, health and safety;

B. this condition is caused in substantial part by insufficiency of space or accommodations for the parking of motor vehicles off the public streets;

C. the installation of parking meters and the establishment of additional parking facilities, together with all undertakings incidental or advantageous thereto for the improvement of traffic control and regulation, are public uses and purposes for which public money may be spent and private property acquired;

D. projects for such purposes will, in addition, confer special benefits on property within their environs; and

E. it is in the public interest that work on projects for such purposes be commenced as soon as possible in order to relieve traffic congestion; and the necessity in the public interest for the provisions hereinafter enacted, is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.

History: 1953 Comp., § 14-52-2, enacted by Laws 1965, ch. 300; 1971, ch. 173, § 1.

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — Off-street public parking facilities, 8 A.L.R.2d 373.

Regulation and licensing of privately owned parking places, 29 A.L.R.2d 856.

Installation or operation of parking meters as within governmental immunity from tort liability, 33 A.L.R.2d 761.

Permissible use of funds from parking meters, 83 A.L.R.2d 625.

Pledging parking-meter revenues as unlawful relinquishment of governmental power, 83 A.L.R.2d 649.