AN ACT to expand the definition of downtown revitalization in the municipal service district law.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 160A‑536(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Downtown Revitalization Defined. – As used in this section "downtown revitalization projects" are improvements, services, functions, promotions, and developmental activities intended to further the public health, safety, welfare, convenience, and economic well‑being of the central city or downtown area. Exercise of the authority granted by this Article to undertake downtown revitalization projects financed by a service district do not prejudice a city's authority to undertake urban renewal projects in the same area. Examples of downtown revitalization projects include by way of illustration but not limitation all of the following:
(1)	Improvements to water mains, sanitary sewer mains, storm sewer mains, electric power distribution lines, gas mains, street lighting, streets and sidewalks, including rights‑of‑way and easements.
(2)	Construction of pedestrian malls, bicycle paths, overhead pedestrian walkways, sidewalk canopies, and parking facilities both on‑street and off‑street.
(3)	Construction of public buildings, restrooms, docks, visitor centers, and tourism facilities.
(4)	Improvements to relieve traffic congestion in the central city and improve pedestrian and vehicular access to it.
(5)	Improvements to reduce the incidence of crime in the central city.
(6)	Providing city services or functions in addition to or to a greater extent than those provided or maintained for the entire city. 
(6)	Sponsoring festivals and markets in the downtown area, promoting business investment in the downtown area, helping to coordinate public and private actions in the downtown area, and developing and issuing publications on the downtown area."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 18th day of June, 2011.

	_____________________________________
		 Philip E. Berger
	 President Pro Tempore of the Senate

	_____________________________________
		 Thom Tillis
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	_____________________________________
		 Beverly E. Perdue
	 Governor

Approved __________.m. this ______________ day of ___________________, 2011