§ 8-3-153 — Powers of state public bodies as to housing projects generally

(a) For the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the planning, undertaking, construction, or operation of housing projects located within the area in which it is authorized to act, any state public body may, upon such terms, with or without consideration, as it may determine: (1) Dedicate, sell, convey, or lease any of its property to a housing authority or the federal government; (2) Cause parks, playgrounds, recreational or community facilities, or any other works which it is otherwise empowered to undertake, to be furnished adjacent to or in connection with housing projects; (3) Furnish, dedicate, close, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan, or replan streets, roads, roadways, alleys, sidewalks, or other places which it is otherwise empowered to undertake; (4) Plan or replan, zone or rezone any part of such state public body; make exceptions from building regulations and ordinances; and, in the case of a city, change its map; (5) Cause services to be furnished to a housing authority of the character which such state public body is otherwise empowered to furnish; (6) Enter into agreements with respect to the exercise by such state public body of its powers relating to the repair, closing, or demolition of unsafe, insanitary, or unfit dwellings; (7) Notwithstanding any other law, employ any funds belonging to or within the control of such state public body, including funds derived from the sale or furnishing of property or facilities to a housing authority, in the purchase of the bonds or other obligations of a housing authority; and exercise all the rights of any holder of such bonds or other obligations; (8) Enter into agreements (which may extend over any period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary) with a housing authority or the federal government respecting action to be taken by such state public body pursuant to any of the powers granted by this article. If at any time title to, or possession of, any project is held by any public body or governmental agency authorized by law to engage in the development or administration of low-rent housing, slum clearance, or urban redevelopment projects, including any agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, such agreements shall inure to the benefit of and may be enforced by such public body or governmental agency; and (9) Do any and all things, necessary or convenient to aid and cooperate in the planning, undertaking, construction, or operation of such housing projects. (b) With respect to any housing project which a housing authority has acquired or taken over from the federal government and which the housing authority by resolution has found and declared to have been constructed in a manner that will promote the public interest and afford necessary safety, sanitation, and other protection, no state public body shall require any changes to be made in the housing project or the manner of its construction or take any other action relating to such construction. (c) In connection with any public improvements made by a state public body in exercising the powers granted by this article, such state public body may incur the entire expense thereof. Any law to the contrary notwithstanding, any sale, conveyance, lease, or agreement provided for in this Code section may be made by a state public body without appraisal, public notice, advertisement, or public bidding.