DE HB458

Authorizes the City of Wilmington to use eminent domain to acquire vacant or abandoned property without meeting the standard "public use" requirement under Delaware law

Requires the Wilmington City Council and Mayor to pass an ordinance declaring the acquisition part of a community development plan necessary to prevent neighborhood decline or decay

Defines "vacant" as a residential or commercial building where no one has lawfully resided or conducted business for 3 or more years, excluding properties actively undergoing construction or renovation

Defines "abandoned" as unoccupied property showing the owner has deserted their duty to maintain it, with courts able to consider code violations, occupancy history, and delinquent property taxes

Allows property owners to challenge a taking by raising whether the property actually qualifies as vacant or abandoned as a legal defense