Attachment B - StoryMap_Downtown Phoenix Redevelopment Area_5.4.2020.pdf

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Attachment B: Downtown Phoenix 
Redevelopment Area Study
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Downtown Phoenix
Redevelopment Area Study
City of Phoenix
Table of Contents
1. Acknowledgements
2. Executive Summary
3. How to Use Story Map
4. Redevelopment Area Recertification
5. Redevelopment Area Designation Purpose
6. What This Document Does
7. Proposed Redevelopment Area Boundary
8. History of Redevelopment in Downtown Phoenix
9. History and Context
10.Survey Methodology
11.Indicators of Slum or Blight
12.Area Conditions
13.Analysis and Conclusion
14.References
15.Appendix
Print the Story Map

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Executive Summary
In compliance with A. R. S. § 42-6209(F), the City of Phoenix
conducted a survey of the downtown redevelopment area to
determine if it still qualifies as a slum or blighted area. In
conducting this survey, the City reviewed three sets of data
sources: (1) Property survey data on slum and blight
indicators; (2) the groundwater plume data set provided by
the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ);
and (3) City of Phoenix Waterline data. In combination, these
data sources enabled the City to make slum and blight
designations for all properties within the boundary.
The results of the property survey indicate the proposed
Downtown Phoenix Redevelopment Area qualifies for a
renewed slum or blighted area designation, because a
predominance—50 percent or more—of properties exhibited
slum and blight indicators. A total of 7,031 properties, or

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parcels, were surveyed to evaluate the potential existence of
slum and blight indicators. Of the 7,031 properties surveyed,
4,953 properties, or seventy-one percent (71%), of the
properties within the redevelopment survey area exhibited
one or more indicators of slum and blight.
USDA FSA, Maxar, CNES/Airbus DS
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How to Use Story Map
Story Map is an interactive GIS-based tool for communication.
Story Map combines text, images, and interactive maps to tell
stories and provide information.
The City of Phoenix is using Story Map as the platform for
publishing the Downtown Phoenix Redevelopment Area Study
to provide information on the process for determining the
new redevelopment area boundary.

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For Example...
The map to the right is a static map with text boxes to
illustrate what can you do with the interactive maps in this
document.
Residents can select a property on the interactive maps to see
information on each property.
When you click on a property, a pop-up box will appear to
display property information. The image on the right
illustrates what these pop-up boxes look like.
Depending on the purpose of each map, different information
will be displayed in the pop-up boxes.

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Powered by Esri
Your Turn To Explore
The map on the right is an interactive Story Map illustrating
the properties that fall within the proposed Downtown
Phoenix Redevelopment Area Boundary.
Click on properties to view the information in each pop-up box.

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Click "zoom to" to see an up close aerial image of the property.
Click on + or - buttons to zoom in and out on the map, or double click a spot on the map to
zoom in.

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Powered by Esri
More Features To Explore
Click here!
Try clicking the button above. It will zoom into a specific
location with a orange pin that you can select. Clicking on the
orange pin on the map to the right will reveal a text box with
information about that location or feature.
If you want to return to the original map view after using a button to zoom in, click the
symbol shown above. It will appear to the right of the button after you have pressed it.
You can also click the home button to return to the original map view.
Button
Now try clicking on the button above. Colored buttons contain
links to websites with more information. This button will take
you to the City of Phoenix's website.
Redevelopment Area Recertification
According to A.R.S. § 42-6209(F), "[b]efore October 1, 2020,
each city or town shall review the designation of each slum or
blighted area that was originally designated before September

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30, 2018 and in which a central business district is located."
The City of Phoenix conducted a survey of the downtown area
to determine if it still qualifies for slum or blight.
Redevelopment Area Designation Purpose
Slum or blighted conditions—from damaged infrastructure to
vacant buildings—often have short and long-term negative
impacts on a neighborhood’s health, safety, and welfare. The
physical conditions of an area impact property values and the
City’s ability to attract investment to enable job creation.
These conditions often result in a decrease in private
investment, initiating a cycle of tax revenue losses and
disinvestment. Disinvestment results in reduced access to
critical community services. 
“The concept of healthy homes extends beyond
the four walls of a dwelling to its surroundings—to
the land immediately around the house, to
adjacent structures and amenities (such as
outbuildings, trees, and recreational equipment),
and to the neighborhood setting. A house does
not exist in isolation” - U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services
This report establishes an area that meets the requirements
outlined in the Arizona Revised Statutes in order for the
Phoenix City Council to declare it a slum or blighted area in
need of redevelopment. The City Council's declaration and
adoption of the redevelopment area boundary identified in
this report is the first step to prepare a Redevelopment Plan
for the area.
As defined by A.R.S. 36-1471, a redevelopment plan is "a plan,

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other than a preliminary or tentative plan, for the acquisition,
clearance, reconstruction, rehabilitation or future use of a
redevelopment project area." This document is not a
redevelopment plan.
This document presents the findings from the Downtown
Phoenix Redevelopment Area Study. If the Phoenix City
Council declares the area a slum or blighted area, the City will
then prepare a redevelopment plan with extensive
community outreach. The Plan will outline a set of goals or
strategies to make improvements based on the slum and
blight designations.
Proposed Redevelopment Area Boundary

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Parcels Within the RDA
This map delineates the proposed Downtown Phoenix
Redevelopment Area Boundary. Rather than a simple
boundary, this map outlines the individual parcels, or
properties, that comprise the proposed Redevelopment Area.
To see which parcels are included, zoom in or select a
property. Selecting a property will reveal the associated APN
and address.
PHX GIS, City of Phoenix, Bureau of Land Management, Esri, HERE, Garmin, INCREMENT P, USGS, METI/NASA…
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The History of Redevelopment in 
Downtown Phoenix
Eight existing Redevelopment Areas overlap with the
proposed Downtown Phoenix Redevelopment Area boundary.
The proposed boundary intentionally consolidates these RDAs
into one Downtown Phoenix RDA. The eight existing
Redevelopment Areas are incorporated by reference into the
proposed RDA.
The names of the Redevelopment Areas and the links to each
existing Redevelopment Plan are included below.
Hope VI Special Redevelopment Area
The HOPE VI Special Redevelopment Plan was formally
adopted by the Phoenix City Council on February 19, 2003.
See the Plan
Government Mall Redevelopment Area
The Redevelopment Plan for the Government Mall was
formally adopted by the City Council on March 11, 1987.
See the Plan
Downtown Redevelopment Area
The Downtown Area Redevelopment and Improvement Plan
was formally adopted by the Phoenix City Council on March
22, 1979.
See the Plan
Booker T. Washington Redevelopment Area

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The General Urban Redevelopment Plan for the Booker T.
Washington Neighborhood was formally adopted by the City
Council on January 23, 1973.
See the Plan
Special Redevelopment Area
The Special Redevelopment Area Plan was formally adopted
by the Mayor and City Council on November 10, 1981.
See the Plan
Eastlake Park Redevelopment Area
The Eastlake Park Neighborhood Plan, a redevelopment plan,
was formally adopted by the City Council on March 14, 1990.
See the Plan
Sky Harbor Center Redevelopment Area
The Sky Harbor Center Redevelopment Area was designated
by the City Council as a slum area on December 5, 1984.
7th Street & Buckeye Road Redevelopment Area
The Seventh Street and Buckeye Road Redevelopment Plan
was formally adopted by the City Council on November 1,
1989.
See the Plan

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History & Context
The proposed redevelopment area boundary covers a large
portion of downtown Phoenix. It includes the downtown
central business district (CBD) and historic and non-
historically designated neighborhoods of significance with
many businesses, residences, and cultural amenities. The
redevelopment area is also the heart of state, county, and local
government as the area encompasses the Government Mall
and many significant government buildings.
Downtown Phoenix Central Business 
District
The Central Business District (CBD) stretches from 7th Avenue
to 7th Street and from McDowell Road to Lincoln Street. A
map of the CBD is shown on the right.
Downtown Phoenix Facts

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Downtown Phoenix Central Business 
District
The following buildings are part of the CBD and fall within the
Redevelopment Area Boundary:
ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus
Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus

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U of A College of Medicine
University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
Phoenix Convention Center
Phoenix Convention Center
Chase Field

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Inside Chase Field
Talking Stick Resort Arena
Talking Stick Resort Arena
CityScape

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CityScape in downtown Phoenix
Orpheum Theatre
Orpheum Theatre Phoenix
Comerica (Now Arizona Federal Theatre)

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Arizona Federal Theatre
Downtown Transit
Valley Metro Light Rail
The Phoenix Light Rail first opened in December 2008. Now it
covers over 28 miles, with another 5 miles planned as part of
the South Central Extension/ Downtown Hub.

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Valley Metro Light Rail on Central Avenue
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Phoenix City Government
Phoenix City Hall

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Phoenix City Hall
Phoenix City Council Chambers
Phoenix City Council Chambers
Phoenix Municipal Court

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Phoenix Municipal Court building and Phoenix City Hall
Maricopa County Government
Maricopa County Administration Building
Maricopa County Administration Building

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Arizona State Government
Government Mall
Phoenix is the Capitol of the State of Arizona. The Government
Mall encompasses many state government buildings,
including the State Capitol. The City designated the
Government Mall as a slum in 1987. The map to the right
outlines the boundaries of the Government Mall. As explained
below, this report recommends consolidating the Government
Mall Redevelopment Area into the new Downtown
Redevelopment Area boundaries.
View of the State Capitol building and a portion of the Government Mall

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Arizona State Capitol
The Arizona State Capitol building
Arizona Supreme Court

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Arizona Supreme Court
Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Courthouse
Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Courthouse

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Historic Neighborhoods
Oakland Historic District
One of the few remaining historic neighborhoods in
downtown Phoenix, most of the Bungalow and Spanish
Colonial Revival style homes in the neighborhood were built
between 1914 and 1925.
The map to the right illustrates the boundaries of the Oakland
Historic District.

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Historic home in the Oakland Historic District.
Woodland Historic District
The Woodland Neighborhood includes homes of a similar age
and style to the Oakland Neighborhood. They too were built in
the 1910s and 1920s in Bungalow and Spanish Colonial
Revival style.
The map to the right illustrates the boundaries of the
Woodland Historic District.

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Historic home in the Woodland Historic District.
Survey Methodology
Area conditions were determined using a two-pronged
approach. First, a property survey was conducted by
consultant field survey staff. The field staff used the Esri
Collector application for customized data recording and photo
collection. The field surveys were conducted from June 25 -
July 12, August 10 - 17, November 12 - 17, 2019, and March 9 -
13, 2020.
A checklist of slum or blight indicators was developed using
the legal descriptions of slum or blight in the Arizona Revised
Statutes. The checklist allowed for binary (yes/no) or
categorical (severe/substantial/minor/none) responses
depending on the indicator being assessed. In total, the Slum
or Blight Indicators Checklist included 27 indicators. The slum
or blight indicators are defined below. The images presented
with each definition illustrate severe or substantial slum or
blight conditions.
Within the state statutory definition, the following aspects of a
"blighted area" were analyzed in the survey: (a) A dominance
of defective or inadequate street layout; (b) Faulty lot layout in

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relation to size, adequacy, accessibility or usefulness; (c)
Unsanitary or unsafe conditions; (d) Deterioration of site or
other improvements; (i) The existence of conditions that
endanger life or property by fire and other causes.
Prior to the field surveys, Maricopa County Assessor parcel
data was used to create a map with centroid points—the
parcel center point—representing each Assessor's Parcel
Number (APN) within the survey area. Every parcel has a
unique number assigned to it by a tax assessor for
identification and record-keeping purposes. This is the APN.
The map allowed surveyors to select a centroid point to open
up the Slum or Blight Indicators Checklist associated with that
APN. Surveyors accessed the checklist using the Esri Collector
application. Every property within the redevelopment area
was surveyed using the checklist and photographed to
document the property conditions. The field staff visually
examined the building and site from the street, then
completed the checklist. All the data collected for each
property was saved with the associated APN.
Second, a review of the field data was conducted using GIS
(Geographical Information Systems) mapping which was
combined with two other data sources: 1) the groundwater
plume data set provided by the Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and 2) City of Phoenix
Waterline data provided by the City. The plume is comprised
of two Superfund sites: the West Van Buren WQARF
Superfund site and the Motorola 52nd Street Superfund site.
The area designated as the plume was created by the
groundwater contamination from the two Superfund sites.
Waterline data was included because in downtown the City of
Phoenix requires new projects to upsize water lines to 12
inches in order to redevelop. The costs to upsize a waterline
are significant and can be a barrier to potential
redevelopment projects.

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Indicators of Slum or Blight
Defining "Slum" or "Blight"
A.R.S. § 36-1471 Definitions
2. “Blighted area” means an area, other than a slum area,
where sound municipal growth and the provision of housing
accommodations is substantially retarded or arrested in a
predominance of the properties by any of the following:
(a) A dominance of defective or inadequate street layout.
(b) Faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility
or usefulness.
(c) Unsanitary or unsafe conditions.
(d) Deterioration of site or other improvements.
(e) Diversity of ownership.
(f) Tax or special assessment delinquency exceeding the fair
value of the land.
(g) Defective or unusual conditions of title.
(h) Improper or obsolete subdivision platting.
(i) The existence of conditions that endanger life or property
by fire and other causes.
18. "Slum area" means an area in which both of the following
are true:
(a) There is a predominance of buildings or improvements,
whether residential or nonresidential.
(b) The public health, safety or welfare is threatened because

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of any of the following:
(i) Dilapidated, deteriorated, aging or obsolescent buildings or
improvements.
(ii) The inadequate provision for ventilation, light, air,
sanitation or open spaces.
(iii) Overcrowding.
(iv) The existence of conditions that endanger life or property
by fire and other causes.
Defining and Visualizing Slum or Blight
Indicators of Slum or Blight

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Area Conditions
A total of 7,031 properties, or parcels, were surveyed to
evaluate the potential existence of slum and blight indicators.
Of the 7,031 properties surveyed, 4,953 properties, or 71
percent, qualified for slum and blight based on the property
survey and data analysis. To qualify, a property must exhibit
one or more indicators of slum or blight. The map below
illustrates which properties qualify for slum or blight.
Indicators of Slum or Blight
The figures below illustrate the total number of properties
with indicators of slum or blight present. The data on each
slum or blight indicator is shown separately to illustrate the
overall predominance of that indicator in the survey area. The
total number of properties and the percent of total properties
exhibiting each indicator are included. Please refer to the

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previous section, Indicators of Slum or Blight, for definitions
for each indicator.
Analysis & Conclusion
The Arizona Revised State Statutes definition for a slum or
blight area was used to determine if the Downtown Phoenix
Redevelopment Area can recertify. To qualify, a predominance
of properties must exhibit indicators of slum or blight. The
City of Phoenix staff considers the term "predominance" to
mean the majority, or over fifty percent (50%), of the
properties. Seventy-one percent (71%) of the properties within
the redevelopment survey area exhibit one or more indicators
of slum or blight. Therefore, the Downtown Phoenix
Redevelopment Area boundary, as illustrated in this Story
Map, qualifies as a slum or blighted area.

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Central City Village Redevelopment Areas mapped out in the Seventh Street and Buckeye
Road Redevelopment Plan published in 1989 by the City of Phoenix.
This new boundary combines a number of existing areas
designated for redevelopment including the original
Downtown Redevelopment Area and the Government Mall
Redevelopment Area (see above). When they were first
designated, these areas exhibited significant indicators of
slum or blight. While great strides have been made in
eliminating slum or blight by reinvesting in the Central City,
there are still many opportunities for improvements. The
redevelopment area designation allows the City to continue to
support and improve downtown neighborhoods in need of
resources, so slum or blight can be eliminated and healthy
neighborhoods of opportunity can be created for all
downtown residents.
References
City of Phoenix (1989). 7th Street and Buckeye Road
Redevelopment Plan. Retrieved from
https://www.phoenix.gov/pddsite/Documents/PZ/pdd_pz_pdf_0
0046.pdf
de Leon, E. & Schilling, J. (2017). Urban Blight and Public

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Health: Addressing the Impact of Substandard Housing,
Abandoned Buildings, and Vacant Lots. Urban Institute.
Retrieved from
https://www.urban.org/research/publication/urban-blight-and-
public-health
Appendix
Arizona Revised Statutes 36-1471
2. "Blighted area" means an area, other than a slum area,
where sound municipal growth and the provision of housing
accommodations is substantially retarded or arrested in a
predominance of the properties by any of the following: (a) A
dominance of defective or inadequate street layout; (b) Faulty
lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility or
usefulness; (c) Unsanitary or unsafe conditions; (d)
Deterioration of site or other improvements; (e) Diversity of
ownership; (f) Tax or special assessment delinquency
exceeding the fair value of the land; (g) Defective or unusual
conditions of title; (h) Improper or obsolete subdivision
platting; (i) The existence of conditions that endanger life or
property by fire and other causes.
14. "Redeveloper" means any person, partnership or public or
private corporation or agency which enters or proposes to
enter into a redevelopment contract.
15. "Redevelopment contract" means a contract entered into
between a municipality and a redeveloper for the
redevelopment of an area in conformity with a
redevelopment plan.
16. "Redevelopment plan" means a plan, other than a
preliminary or tentative plan, for the acquisition, clearance,
reconstruction, rehabilitation or future use of a
redevelopment project area.

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17. "Redevelopment project":
(a) Means any work or undertaking:
(i) To acquire slum or blighted areas or portions of these areas
and lands, structures or improvements, the acquisition of
which is necessary or incidental to the proper clearance or
redevelopment of these areas or to the prevention of the
spread or recurrence of slum conditions or conditions of
blight in the area.
(ii) To clear any areas by demolition or removal of existing
buildings, structures, streets, utilities or other improvements
thereon and to install, construct or reconstruct streets, utilities
and site improvements essential to the preparation of sites for
uses in accordance with a redevelopment plan.
(iii) To sell, lease or otherwise make available land in areas for
residential, recreational, commercial, industrial or other use
or for public use or to retain land for public use, in
accordance with a redevelopment plan.
(b) Includes the preparation of a redevelopment plan, the
planning, surveying and other work incident to a
redevelopment project and the preparation of all plans and
arrangements for carrying out a redevelopment project.
18. "Slum area" means an area in which both of the following
are true: (a) There is a predominance of buildings or
improvements, whether residential or nonresidential; (b) The
public health, safety or welfare is threatened because of any
of the following: (i) Dilapidated, deteriorated, aging or
obsolescent buildings or improvements; (ii) The inadequate
provision for ventilation, light, air, sanitation or open spaces;
(iii) Overcrowding; (iv) The existence of conditions that
endanger life or property by fire and other causes.
Arizona Revised Statutes 42-6209

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A. A city or town may abate the tax provided for under this
article for a limited period beginning when the certificate of
occupancy is issued and ending eight years after the
certificate of occupancy is issued on a government property
improvement that is constructed either before or after July 20,
1996 and that meets the following requirements:
1. The improvement is located in a single central business
district in the city or town and is subject to a lease or
development agreement entered into on or after April 1,
1985. For the purposes of this section:
(a) A city or town shall not designate more than one central
business district within its corporate boundaries.
(b) A city or town shall not approve or enter into a
development agreement or lease for a government property
improvement within one year after the designation of the
central business district in which the improvement is located.
(c) "Central business district" means a single and contiguous
geographical area that is designated by resolution of the
governing body of the city or town and that is geographically
compact and not larger than the greatest of the existing total
land area of the central business district of the city or town as
of January 1, 2018, two and one-half percent of the total land
area within the exterior boundaries of the city or town or nine
hundred sixty acres. For the purposes of this subdivision, any
central business district formed before January 1, 2018 is
considered to be geographically compact. For the expanded
areas of an existing central business district only and the new
designation of a central business district formed on or after
January 1, 2018 and for the purposes of this subdivision,
"geographically compact" means a form or shape that has a
length that is not more than twice its width as measured from
at least four points on the exterior boundary of the expanded
areas of an existing central business district or a central
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2. The improvement is located entirely within a slum or
blighted area that is designated pursuant to title 36, chapter
12, article 3.
3. The government property improvement resulted or will
result in an increase in property value of at least one hundred
percent.
B. The prime lessee shall notify the county treasurer and the
government lessor and apply for the abatement before the
taxes under this article are due and payable in the first year
after the certificate of occupancy is issued.
C. Except as provided by subsection D of this section, each
lease between a prime lessee and a government lessor for
which the tax is abated under this section that is entered into
from and after May 31, 2010, and that does not meet the
conditions provided in section 42-6203, subsection A must be
approved by a simple majority vote of the governing body
without using a consent calendar and shall not be approved
unless:
1. The government lessor notifies the governing bodies of the
county and any city, town and school district in which the
government property improvement is located at least sixty
days before the approval. The notice must include the name
and address of the intended prime lessee, the location and
proposed use of the government property improvement and
the proposed term of the lease or development agreement.
2. The government lessor determines that, within the term of
the lease or development agreement, the economic and fiscal
benefit to this state and the county, city or town in which the
government property improvement is located will exceed the
benefits received by the prime lessee as a result of the
development agreement or lease on the basis of an estimate of
those benefits prepared by an independent third party in a
manner and method acceptable to the governing body of the

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government lessor. The estimate must be provided to the
government lessor and the governing bodies of the county and
any city, town and school district in which the government
property improvement is located at least thirty days before
the vote of the governing body. A lease or development
agreement between a prime lessee and a government lessor
involving residential rental housing is exempt from the
economic estimate analysis requirements of this paragraph.
3. The lease or development agreement provides that the
government lessor may not approve an amendment to change
the use of the government property improvement during the
period of abatement unless:
(a) The government lessor notifies the governing bodies of the
county and any city, town and school district in which the
government property improvement is located at least sixty
days before the approval. The notice must include the name
and address of the prime lessee, the location and proposed use
of the government property improvement and the remaining
term of the lease or development agreement.
(b) The government lessor determines that, within the
remaining term of the lease or development agreement, the
economic and fiscal benefit to this state and the county, city or
town in which the government property improvement is
located will exceed the benefits received by the prime lessee
as a result of the change in the lease or development
agreement on the basis of an estimate of those benefits
prepared by an independent third party in a manner and
method acceptable to the governing body of the government
lessor. The estimate must be provided to the government
lessor and the governing bodies of the county and any city,
town and school district in which the government property
improvement is located at least thirty days before the vote of
the governing body. A change in use under a lease or
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government lessor to residential rental housing is exempt
from the economic estimate analysis requirements of this
subdivision.
D. Subsection C of this section does not apply if:
1. The tax is not abated under this section.
2. The government lessor is acting as a commercial landlord
without a development agreement in a lease for a use
ancillary to a government property improvement used for a
public purpose.
E. The designation of a slum or blighted area that is originally
designated from and after September 30, 2018 and in which a
central business district is located automatically terminates on
the tenth anniversary after the designation unless the city or
town formally renews or modifies all or part of the slum or
blighted area designation. The termination of a slum or
blighted area designation under this subsection does not
affect any existing project described in section 35-701,
paragraph 7, subdivision (a), item (ix) that is within the
designated area. Before the tenth anniversary of its
designation, the city or town shall review the area and,
pursuant to the review, shall either renew, modify or
terminate the designation. If the city or town renews or
modifies the original designation, the slum or blighted area
designation is subject to subsequent reviews on a ten-year
cycle. If the city or town fails to renew or modify the
designation, the slum or blighted area designation
automatically terminates five years after the review. This
subsection does not apply to leases or development
agreements to lease government property if either of the
following conditions is met with respect to any such excluded
area:
1. The lease of the government property improvement was
entered into before the termination or modification of the

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slum or blighted area designation.
2. A development agreement, ordinance or resolution was
approved by the governing body of the government lessor
before the termination or modification of the slum or blighted
area designation that authorized a lease on the occurrence of
specified conditions and the lease was entered into within five
years after the date the development agreement was entered
into or the ordinance or resolution was approved by the
governing body.
F. Before October 1, 2020, each city or town shall review the
designation of each slum or blighted area that was originally
designated before September 30, 2018 and in which a central
business district is located. All such slum or blighted areas in
which a central business district is located are considered to
be valid. Pursuant to the review, the city or town shall either
renew, modify or terminate the designation. If the city or town
renews or modifies the original designation, the slum or
blighted area designation is subject to subsequent reviews on
a ten-year cycle. If the city or town fails to renew or modify
the designation, the slum or blighted area designation
automatically terminates from and after September 30, 2025,
or five years after any subsequent review. The termination of
a slum or blighted area designation under this subsection does
not affect:
1. Any existing project described in section 35-701, paragraph
7, subdivision (a), item (ix) that is within the designated area.
2. Any lease or development agreement to lease government
property if either of the following conditions is met with
respect to the slum or blighted area:
(a) The lease of the government property improvement was
entered into before the termination or modification of the
slum or blighted area designation.

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(b) A development agreement, ordinance or resolution was
approved by the governing body of the government lessor
before the termination or modification of the slum or blighted
area designation that authorized a lease on the occurrence of
specified conditions and the lease was entered into within five
years after the date the development agreement was entered
into or the ordinance or resolution was approved by the
governing body.
G. Notwithstanding section 42-6206, subsection C, beginning
with development agreements, ordinances or resolutions to
lease government property improvements approved by the
governing body of the government lessor from and after
December 31, 2016, the lease period for a property for which
the tax is abated under this section may not exceed eight
years, including any abatement period, regardless of whether
the lease is transferred or conveyed to subsequent prime
lessees during that period. As soon as reasonably practicable
but within twelve months after the expiration date of the
lease, the government lessor must convey to the current
prime lessee title to the government property improvement
and the underlying land. Property conveyed to the prime
lessee under this subsection does not qualify for classification
as class six property or for any other discounted assessment
regardless of the location or condition of the property. This
subsection does not apply to leases or development
agreements to lease government property if either of the
following occurred before January 1, 2017:
1. A corresponding resolution or ordinance for the lease or
intent to lease such property subject to this section was
approved by the governing body of the government lessor.
2. A proposal was submitted to the government lessor in
response to a request for proposals.
Code Federal Regulations

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Per 24 Code Federal Regulations 507.208(b)(1) the area must
also meet the following conditions in either paragraph (A) or
(B):
(A) At least 25 percent of the properties throughout the area
experience one or more of the following conditions: (1)
Physical deterioration of buildings and improvements; (2)
Abandonment of properties; (3) Chronic high occupancy
turnover rates or chronic high vacancy rates in commercial or
industrial buildings; (4) Significant declines in property values
relative to other areas in the community; (5) Known or
suspected environmental contamination.
(B) The public improvements throughout the area are in a
general state of deterioration.
Within this definition the following requirements of
paragraph (A) were studied to determine if 25 percent of the
properties in this redevelopment area displayed the following:
    (A)(1) Physical deterioration of buildings or improvements
    (A)(5) Known or suspected environmental contamination