18                                Laws of Maryland                          [Ch. 2

volving construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvment and
repair of port facilities, including the dredging of ship channels and
turning basins and the filling^ and grading of land, which contracts
involve the expenditure of Five Thousand Dollars or more, shall be
performed by private industry and contracts for the same shall be
awarded on the basis of the lowest responsible bid received therefor
in response to an invitation for bids published at least twice in two
newspapers having general circulation in the State of Maryland, pro-
vided, however, that development work not susceptible to accurate
bidding may be awarded by negotiation;

(t) to make application for establishing, maintaining and oper-
ating foreign trade zones ivithin its territorial jurisdiction and to
operate and maintain such foreign trade zones when established
pursuant to the provisions of any laws or regulations of the United
States for the establishment, operation and maintenance of foreign
trade zones in ports of entry of the United States; and

(u) to do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out
the powers expressly granted in this Article.

6. (Acquisition of Property.) (a) The Authority is hereby author-
ized and empowered to acquire by purchase, whenever it shall deem
such purchase expedient, such lands, structures, property, rights,
rights of way, franchises, easements and other interests in lands,
including lands lying under water and riparian rights, as it may
deem necessary or convenient for the construction or for the opera-
tion of any project, upon such terms and at such price as may be
considered by it to be reasonable and can be agreed upon between
the Authority and the owner thereof, and to take title thereto in
the name of the Authority. In Baltimore City or in any county
where planning and development regulations have legal status, the
Authority shall comply with and be subject to such rules and regu-
lations pertaining to planning and development to the same extent as
private, commercial or industrial enterprise.

(b)  All counties, cities, towns and other political subdivisions and
all public agencies and commissions of the State, notwithstanding
any countrary provision of law, are hereby authorized and empowered
to lease, lend, grant or convey to the Authority at its request upon
such terms and conditions as the proper authorities of such counties,
cities, towns, political subdivisions, agencies or commissions of the
State may deem reasonable and fair any real or personal property
which may be necessary or convenient to the effectuation of the
authorized purposes of the Authority, including property already
devoted to public use.

(c)  Whenever a reasonable price cannot be agreed upon, or when-
ever the owner is legally incapacitated or is absent, unknown or
unable to convey valid title, the Authority is hereby authorized and
empowered to acquire by condemnation or by the exercise of the
poiver of eminent domain any lands, property, rights, rights of way,
franchises, easements and other property, including public lands,
parks, playgrounds, reservations, or parts thereof or rights therein,
of any person, copartnership, association, railroad, public service,
public utility or other corporation, municipality or political sub-
division deemed by the Authority to be necessary for the construction
or the efficient operation of any project. Any such proceedings shall