Okla. Stat. tit. 11, § 11-38-102

It is hereby found and declared that there exists in certain

municipalities blighted areas as herein defined which constitute a

serious and growing menace, injurious and inimical to the public

health, safety, morals and welfare of the residents of said

municipalities; that the existence of such areas contributes an

economic and social liability imposing onerous burdens which

decrease the tax base and reduce tax revenues, substantially impairs

or arrests sound urban growth, retards sound economic development,

aggravates traffic problems and substantially impairs or arrests the

elimination of traffic hazards and the improvement of traffic

facilities; and that the prevention and elimination of blight is a

matter of state policy and state concern; that the state and such

municipalities shall not continue to be endangered by areas which

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 11. Cities and Towns Page 400

are focal centers of disease, promote juvenile delinquency, and

consume an excessive proportion of its revenue because of extra

services required for police, fire, accident, hospitalization and

other forms of public protection, services and facilities; that by

such prevention and elimination, property values will be stabilized

and tax burdens more equitably distributed, and the financial and

capital resources of the state will be strengthened; that this

menace can best be remedied by cooperative participation of private

enterprise, municipal governing bodies and public agencies.

It is further found and declared that certain blighted areas, or

portions thereof, may require acquisition, clearance, and

disposition subject to use restrictions, as provided in this

article, since the prevailing conditions of decay may make

impracticable the reclamation of the area by conservation or

rehabilitation; that the conditions and evils hereinbefore

enumerated may be eliminated, remedied or prevented; that the

salvable blighted areas can be conserved and rehabilitated through

appropriate public action as herein authorized, and the cooperation

and voluntary action of the owners and tenants of property in such

area.

It is further found and declared that the powers conferred by

this article are for public uses and purposes for which public money

may be expended and the power of eminent domain and police power

exercised; and it is hereby declared that it is a matter of

legislative determination that the provisions of this article are

enacted in the public interest.