That's what Salt Lake City Council members are poised to consider tonight when they adopt their Redevelopment Agency budget.

In reality, the council has only $7 million to $16 million to spend on new projects because of prior obligations and bonds. Plus, because the money comes from property taxes generated by redevelopment projects, the amounts are uncertain.

The council probably will hear nary a peep about their choices. Few residents attend RDA meetings, partly because the spreadsheets are written for accountants, not the public, according to a recent audit.

Here are the highlights:

* $800,000 to bury electrical transmission lines from 150 South to 700 South along the west side of 500 West. That's where tall buildings with housing are supposed to go, but with the 138,000-volt lines, development is limited.

The RDA hopes to start work on the project - the council already set aside $750,000 - next summer. The city won't have to rip up the road, because a conduit was installed underground when 500 West was improved a couple of years ago.

The power lines are dangerous, said Councilman Carlton Christensen, chairman of the RDA Board. And eliminating the lines will "open up that side of the street to development."

* $625,000 to improve pedestrian safety on 300 South. The parking stalls in the middle of 300 South were an experiment that the city says worked. Nearly 90 spots were added. And although two traffic lanes were eliminated, roughly the same amount of vehicles traverse the road.

A makeshift pedestrian lane runs in the middle of the street. The money will be used to separate vehicles and pedestrians with a raised, tree-lined sidewalk. The council already socked away $425,000 for the project. The pot should cover improvements from Main Street to 400 West, depending on how construction bids come in.

Transportation Director Tim Harpst expects the work to start next spring and be done by summer.

* $500,000 for downtown parking. Downtown already has 32,000 spaces and 2,000 metered stalls, but drivers still see parking as sparse. The council has $1.2 million tucked away for parking and, with this year's amount, hopes to add public stalls to a garage that will be built as part of a 21-story office tower set for 222 S. Main Street. Each stall will cost $17,000, requiring $1.7 million for 100 slots. Christensen said the spots will help serve Capitol Theatre and retail merchants on Main Street.

* $500,000 for parking in Sugar House. The money could be used for a garage as part of the eventual redevelopment of the former Granite Furniture block.

* $100,000 to help beautify 300 West between 300 North and 800 North. To make the thoroughfare more pedestrian-friendly, the RDA wants to add trees, street furniture and maybe a median.

If downtown property-tax increments come in as hoped, the council will steer $1 million toward eventual upgrades at the Gallivan Center for permanent restrooms and better sightlines of the stage by altering the ice-skating rink and moving the ice-skating building.

Christensen promises controversy when it's time to renovate Gallivan.

Some council members want to leave it alone. Others say it needs an update to stay competitive.

hmay@sltrib.com