1322                             Laws of Maryland                        [Ch. 758

225, inclusive, titled, "Redevelopment-Urban Renewal" and to fol-
low immediately after Section 214, to authorize and empower the
Mayor and City Council of Cumberland to carry out Urban Re-
newal Projects involving the clearance and redevelopment and
rehabilitation of slum areas or blighted areas, including the ac-
quisition of property for such purposes with certain provisions in
regard to such acquisition by the exercise of power of eminent
domain; declaring such activities to constitute governmental func-
tions in furtherance of which the Mayor and City Council of Cum-
berland may exercise the power of taxation, expend public funds
and extend public credit; granting to the Mayor and City Council
of Cumberland certain additional powers and authority necessary
or proper to carry into full force and effect the powers hereinabove
mentioned and placing certain restrictions and limitations on cer-
tain powers granted.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Sections to be known as Sections 215 to 225, inclusive,
are hereby added to the Charter of the City of Cumberland (the same
being Article 1A of the Code of Public Local Laws of Maryland),
said new Sections to be titled "Redevelopment-Urban Renewal" and
to follow immediately after Section 214, and to read as follows:

REDEVELOPMENT-URBAN RENEWAL

Section 215. Definitions

The following terms wherever used or referred to in this subtitle
shall have the following meanings, unless a different meaning is
clearly indicated by the context:

(a)   "Federal Government" shall include the United States of
America or any agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise,
of the United States of America.

(b)   "Slum Area" shall mean any area where dwellings predomi-
nate which, by reason of depreciation, overcrowding, faulty arrange-
ment or design, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or any
combination of these factors, are detrimental to the public safety,
health or morals.

(c)   "Blighted Area" shall mean an area in which a majority of
buildings have declined in productivity by reason of obsolescence,
depreciation or other causes to an extent they no longer justify funda-
mental repairs and adequate maintenance.

(d)   "Urban Renewal Project" shall mean undertakings and ac-
tivities of a municipality in an urban renewal area for the elimina-
tion and for the prevention of the development or spread of slums
and blight, and may involve slum clearance and redevelopment in an
urban renewal area, or rehabilitation or conservation in an urban
renewal area, or any combination or part thereof in accordance with
an urban renewal plan. Such undertakings and activities may in-
clude—

(1)   acquisition of a slum area or a blighted area or portion there-
of;

(2)   demolition and removal of buildings and improvements;