502 MARYLAND MANUAL [Art. 3, Sec. 61]
condemnation or any other legal means. The term "slum
area" shall mean any area where dwellings predominate
which, by reason of depreciation, overcrowding, faulty ar-
rangement or design, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary
facilities, or any combination of these factors, are detri-
mental to the public safety, health or morals. The term
"blighted area" shall mean an area in which a majority of
buildings have declined in productivity by reason of obsolescense,
depreciation or other causes to an extent they
no longer justify fundamental repairs and adequate mainte-
nance.
(2) To sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose
of any of said land or property, regardless of whether or
not it has been developed, redeveloped, altered or improved
and irrespective of the manner or means in or by which it
may have been acquired, to any private, public or quasi
public corporation, partnership, association, person or other
legal entity.
No land or property taken by any county or any municipal
corporation for any of the aforementioned purposes or in
connection with the exercise of any of the powers which
may be granted to such county or municipal corporation
pursuant to this section by exercising the power of eminent
domain shall be taken without just compensation, as agreed
upon between the parties, or awarded by a jury, being first
paid or tendered to the party entitled to such compensation.
All land or property needed, or taken by the exercise of
the power of eminent domain, by any county or any munici-
pal corporation for any of the aforementioned purposes or
in connection with the exercise of any of the powers which
may be granted pursuant to this Section is hereby declared
to be needed or taken for public uses and purposes. Any or
all of the activities authorized pursuant to this section
shall constitute governmental functions undertaken for
public uses and purposes and the power of taxation may be
exercised, public funds expended and public credit extended
in furtherance thereof.
(b) The General Assembly may grant to any county or
any municipal corporation, by public local law, any and all
additional power and authority necessary or proper to carry
into full force and effect any and all of the specific powers
authorized by this section and to fully accomplish any and
all of the purposes and objects contemplated by the pro-
visions of this section, provided such additional power or
authority is not inconsistent with the terms and provisions
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