It is hereby determined and declared that there exist certain areas within the city where improved and vacant lands because of the presence of one or more of the following factors are detrimental to the public health, safety, morals and welfare: dilapidation; obsolescence; deterioration; illegal or nonconforming use of existing structures; excessive vacancies; overcrowding of structures and community facilities; lack of adequate ventilation, light or sanitary facilities; inadequate utilities; excessive land coverage; deleterious land use or layout; depreciation of physical maintenance; obsolete platting of l and; diversity of ownership of land; and deterioration of structures or site improvements in neighboring areas adjacent to vacant lands. As a result of the existence of these conditions, these areas result in a disproportionate expenditure of public funds, inadequate public and private investment, marketability of property, growth in delinquencies and crime, ordinance violations, abnormal exodus of families and businesses so that the decline of these areas impairs the value of private investments, threatens the sound growth and the tax base of the city, increases unemployment, and threatens the public health, safety, morals and welfare. These conditions need to be eradicated, conservation measures instituted and the development and redevelopment of such areas undertaken. The eradication and the elimination of these conditions in such areas and the construction and redevelopment and development projects in areas by private capital with financial assistance from the city is hereby declared to be a public use essential to the public interest. (Ord. 2013-20)