§293.2. Additional powers; redevelopment

            With regard to redevelopment functions, the authority, through the board, shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this Part within the territory comprised of all of the territory included within House of Representatives District No. 44 and Districts 1 and 5 of the Lafayette City Council as geographically drawn on June 20, 2022, including but not limited to the following:

            (1) The authority shall have the power to create and execute redevelopment plans for specified areas within the territory defined in this Section. The implementation of all such plans shall not proceed until, to the extent required by law, the authority has obtained the approval of the local planning commission or zoning board. In the execution of such redevelopment plan, the authority shall have the powers provided in this Paragraph.

            (2) To undertake and carry out redevelopment projects and related activities.

            (3) To develop, test, and report methods and techniques and carry out demonstrations and other activities for the prevention and the elimination of slums and urban blight.

            (4) To plan, develop, regulate, operate, and maintain activities and planned land uses to foster any type of property development.

            (5) The authority may purchase adjudicated properties within the territory defined in this Section from any political subdivision of the state of Louisiana.

            (6) The authority may purchase, sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of or transfer to or with other political subdivision of this state or public or private persons at public or private sale any land, property, improvements, or portions thereof, including immovable property and housing, which is, in the opinion of the board, appropriate to accomplish the objective and purposes of the district. Prior to any sale, lease, conveyance, disposition, or transfer of property pursuant to this Paragraph, the authority shall fix the price and terms of the sale, lease, exchange, or other contract to be made with reference to the property. Such sale, lease, conveyance, disposition, or transfer shall comply with the terms and provisions of this Part.

            (7) The authority may sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise transfer immovable property or any interest therein acquired by it for residential commercial or industrial uses or for public use, subject to such covenants, conditions, and restrictions, including covenants running with the land, as it may deem to be necessary or desirable to assist in carrying out the purposes of this Part.

            (8) The authority may temporarily operate, maintain, or lease immovable property acquired by it in a redevelopment area for or in connection with a redevelopment project pending disposition of the property as authorized in this Part for such uses and purposes as may be deemed desirable even though not in connection with the redevelopment plan.

            (9) The authority may dispose of any immovable property within a redevelopment area acquired by purchasing adjudicated properties. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, immovable property acquired in accordance with the redevelopment plan may be disposed of to a public body for public reuse.

            (10) To require and issue licenses.

            (11) To levy and collect sales and use taxes within the boundaries of the district for such purposes and at such rate as provided by the propositions authorizing their levy, not to exceed in aggregate one percent, which taxes may not exceed the limitation set forth in the Constitution of Louisiana, provided that the proposition submitted to a vote in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code shall be approved by a majority of the qualified electors of the jurisdiction of the authority voting in an election held for that purpose.

            Acts 2024, No. 531, §1, eff. June 10, 2024.