Sec. 17.

1. When it is desired that any real property in a development area be acquired by condemnation, there shall be presented to the supervising agency by the redevelopment corporation a verified petition requesting the issuance of a certificate of approval of condemnation of such real property which shall contain, among other things:

(a) A metes and bounds description or other legal description of the real property involved and a statement of the estate, interest, privileges, franchise or right therein or appurtenant thereto to be condemned;

(b) Proof that such real property is within the development area;

(c) Proof that certificates of approval of the development plan required by section 4 have been issued.

The supervising agency shall determine within a reasonable time thereafter the truth or sufficiency of the statements and proof contained in such petition, and, if such determination shall be in the affirmative, the supervising agency shall issue to the petitioner a certificate of approval of condemnation. Such certificate shall contain a description of the real property proposed to be condemned, the facts so determined with respect thereto, and a statement that the real property proposed to be condemned is required for a public use and that its acquisition for such use is necessary. No condemnation proceeding to acquire real property in a development area, by a city for a redevelopment corporation, shall be commenced until such a certificate of approval of condemnation shall have been issued.

2. Condemnation proceedings for a redevelopment corporation shall be initiated by a petition to the city to institute proceedings to acquire for the redevelopment corporation any real property in the development area. Such petition shall be granted or rejected by the local legislative body, and the resolution or resolutions granting such petition shall contain a requirement that the redevelopment corporation shall pay to the city all sums expended or required to be expended by the city in the acquisition of such real property, together with all costs incurred by the city, and the time of payment and manner of securing payment thereof, and may require that the city shall receive, before proceeding with the acquisition of such real property, such assurances as to payment or reimbursement by the redevelopment corporation, or otherwise, as the city may deem advisable. Upon the passage of a resolution or resolutions by the local legislative body, granting the petition, the redevelopment corporation shall cause to be made 3 copies of surveys or maps of the real property described in the petition, 1 of which shall be filed in the office of the redevelopment corporation, 1 in the office of the corporation counsel or chief law officer of the city, and 1 in the office in which instruments affecting real property in the county are recorded. The filing of such copies of surveys or maps shall constitute the acceptance by the redevelopment corporation of the terms and conditions contained in such ordinance or ordinances. The city shall proceed under any provision of any general, special or local law applicable to the condemnation of real property for public improvements. When title to the real property shall have vested in the city, it shall convey the same to the redevelopment corporation upon payment by the redevelopment corporation of the sums and the giving of the security required by the resolution granting the petition. As soon as title shall have vested in the city, the redevelopment corporation may, upon the authorization of the local legislative body enter upon the real property taken, take over and dispose of existing improvements, and carry out the terms of the development plan with respect thereto.

3. The following provisions shall apply to any proceedings for the assessment of compensation and damages for real property in a development area taken or to be taken by condemnation for a redevelopment corporation:

(a) Evidence of the price and other terms upon any sale, offer to sell, or the rent received or reserved, whichever is less, and other terms upon any sales option, lease or tenancy relating to any of the real property taken or to be taken or to any comparable real property in the vicinity when the option, sale, offer or lease was given, occurred or the tenancy existed, within a reasonable time of the trial, shall be admissible on direct examination;

(b) Any time during the pendency of such action or proceeding, the redevelopment corporation, the city or any owner may apply to the court for an order directing any owner, the redevelopment corporation, or the city, as the case may be, to show cause why further proceedings should not be expedited, and the court may upon such application make an order requiring that the hearings proceed and that any other steps be taken with all possible expedition;

(c) For the purposes of this act, the award of compensation shall not be increased by reason of any increase in the value of the real property caused by the assembly, clearance or reconstruction, or proposed assembly, clearance or reconstruction for the purposes of this act of the real property in the development area. No allowance shall be made for the improvements begun on real property after notice to the owner of such property of the institution of the proceedings to condemn such property;

(d) Evidence shall be admissible bearing upon the insanitary, unsafe or substandard condition of the premises, or the illegal use thereof, or the enhancement of rentals from such illegal use, and such evidence may be considered in fixing the compensation to be paid, notwithstanding that no steps to remedy or abate such conditions have been taken by the department or officers having jurisdiction. If a violation order is on file against the premises in any such department, it shall constitute prima facie evidence of the existence of the condition specified in such order;

(e) If any of the real property in the development area which is to be acquired by condemnation has, prior to such acquisition, been devoted to another public use, it may nevertheless be acquired provided that no real property belonging to the city or to any other governmental body, or agency or instrumentality thereof, corporate or otherwise, may be acquired without its consent;

(f) Upon the trial, evidence of the price and other terms upon a sale or assignment or of a contract for the sale or assignment of a mortgage, award, proposed award, transfer of a tax lien or lien of a judgment relating to property taken, shall be relevant, material and competent, upon the issue of value or damage and shall be admissible on direct examination;

(g) Upon the trial a statement, affidavit, deposition, report, transcript of testimony in an action or proceeding, or appraisal made or given by any owner or prior owner of the premises taken, or by any person on his behalf, to any court, governmental bureau, department or agency respecting the value of the real property for tax purposes, shall be relevant, material and competent upon the issue of value of damage and shall be admissible on direct examination;

(h) The term “owner,” as used in this section, shall include a person having an estate, interest or easement in the real property to be acquired or a lien, charge or encumbrance thereon.

History: 1941, Act 250, Imd. Eff. June 16, 1941 ;-- CL 1948, 125.917 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 325, Imd. Eff. July 3, 1968