Legislative findings.

(a) The Legislature finds:

(1) That patterns of urban development have had a substantial adverse impact upon downtown and community business districts vital to the economies of Class 1 municipalities in Alabama.

(2) That the public interest would be advanced by authorizing the creation of self-help business improvement districts and district management corporations to assist Class 1 municipalities in promoting economic growth in business districts.

(3) That district management corporations representing real property owners within self-help business improvement districts can assist Class 1 municipalities in promoting economic growth and employment within business districts.

(4) That Class 1 municipalities should be authorized to create self-help business improvement districts and designate district management corporations to execute self-help programs to improve the local business climates.

(b) The Legislature further finds that it is the public policy of the State of Alabama to permit the governing bodies of Class 1 municipalities to protect the public welfare and the interests of the public in the safe and effective movement of persons, encourage healthy economic development, promote jobs, and preserve and enhance the function and appearance of business districts located within a Class 1 municipality through the adoption of an ordinance of the type authorized in this article.

(Acts 1994, No. 94-677, p. 1295, §1.)