Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, the corporation shall not be empowered to undertake the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of a project unless the corporation finds:
(a) in the case of a residential project:(1) That there exists, in the area in which the project is to be located, or in an area reasonably accessible to such area, a need for safe and sanitary housing accommodations for persons or families of low income, which the operations of private enterprise cannot provide;(2) That the project has been approved as a project of a housing company pursuant to the provisions of the private housing finance law.(b) in the case of an industrial project: (1) That the area in which the project is to be located is a substandard or insanitary area, or is in danger of becoming a substandard or insanitary area, wherein there exists a condition of substantial and persistent unemployment or underemployment;(2) That the acquisition or construction and operation of such project will prevent, eliminate or reduce unemployment or underemployment in such area;(3) That such project shall consist of a building or buildings which are suitable for manufacturing, warehousing or research or other industrial, business or commercial purposes.(4) That adequate provision has been, or will be made for the payment of the cost of the acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance and upkeep of such project.(5) That the acquisition and construction, proposed leasing, operation and use of such project will aid in the development, growth and prosperity of the state and the area in which such project is located;(6) That the plans and specifications assure adequate light, air, sanitation and fire protection.(c) in the case of a land use improvement project:(1) That the area in which the project is to be located is a substandard or insanitary area, or is in danger of becoming a substandard or insanitary area and tends to impair or arrest the sound growth and development of the municipality;(2) That the project consists of a plan or undertaking for the clearance, replanning, reconstruction and rehabilitation of such area and for recreational and other facilities incidental or appurtenant thereto;(3) That the plan or undertaking affords maximum opportunity for participation by private enterprise, consistent with the sound needs of the municipality as a whole.(d) in the case of a civic project: (1) That there exists in the area in which the project is to be located, a need for the educational, cultural, recreational, community, municipal, public service or other civic facility to be included in the project;(2) That the project shall consist of a building or buildings or other facilities which are suitable for educational, cultural, recreational, community, municipal, public service or other civic purposes;(3) That such project will be leased to or owned by the state or an agency or instrumentality thereof, a municipality or an agency or instrumentality thereof, a public corporation, or any other entity which is carrying out a community, municipal, public service or other civic purpose, and that adequate provision has been, or will be, made for the payment of the cost of acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance and upkeep of the project;(4) That the plans and specifications assure or will assure adequate light, air, sanitation and fire protection.(e) in the case of an industrial effectiveness project: (1) That a feasibility study or productivity assessment exists demonstrating the potential for future profitability of the firm requesting financial assistance and such study or assessment has been reviewed and approved by the commissioner of economic development;(2) That for loans to implement a corporate restructuring or turnaround plan, the management of the industrial firm requesting assistance is capable and the firm has a sound business development plan that includes measures to ensure labor and management cooperation and to effect changes required to continue as a successful business;(3) That the requested financial assistance is not available from other public or private financing sources; and(4) That the area in which the project is to be located is a substandard or insanitary area, or is in danger of becoming a substandard or insanitary area, wherein there exists a condition of substantial and persistent unemployment or underemployment.(f) in the case of a small and medium-sized business assistance project:(1) That the area in which the project will be located is a substandard or insanitary area, or is in danger of becoming a substandard or insanitary area, wherein there exists a condition of substantial and persistent unemployment or underemployment;(2) That the project demonstrates market, management and financial feasibility and has a clear likelihood of success;(3) That the industrial firm provides at least a ten percent equity contribution and such contribution is not derived from other governmental sources;(4) That the requested financial assistance is not available from other public or private financing sources on terms compatible with the successful completion of the project;(5) That the project will not result in the relocation of any industrial firm from one municipality within the state to another municipality, except under one of the following conditions: (i) when an industrial firm is relocating within a municipality with a population of at least one million where the governing body of such municipality approves such relocation; or (ii) the corporation notifies each municipality from which such industrial firm will be relocated and each municipality agrees to such relocation; and(6) That the project is not for the purpose of refinancing any portion of the total project cost or other existing loans or debts of the project sponsor or owner.(g) in the case of all projects, that there is a feasible method for the relocation of families and individuals displaced from the project area into decent, safe and sanitary dwellings, which are or will be provided in the project area or in other areas not generally less desirable in regard to public utilities and public and commercial facilities, at rents or prices within the financial means of such families or individuals, and reasonably accessible to their places of employment. Insofar as is feasible, the corporation shall offer housing accommodations to such families and individuals in residential projects of the corporation. The corporation may render to business and commercial tenants and to families or other persons displaced from the project area, such assistance as it may deem necessary to enable them to relocate.(h) in the case of all projects, the corporation shall state the basis for its findings.N.Y. Urban Development Corporation Act § 10