Salt Lake City's Redevelopment Agency Board - aka the City Council - is considering a new program to refurbish and restore run-down neighborhoods with public money as part of a pilot project.

The neighborhood-reinvestment idea comes from Ogden, where a so-called "Move the Line" program has made strides in overhauling blighted residential areas, primarily on the west end.

Neither specific streets nor dollar amounts were discussed by the capital's RDA board this week, which plans to research the program before another discussion in December.

Ultimately, the new board, which will come together in January when two new council members take office, will take action on the proposal.

"We're all very excited about this kind of approach," said RDA Director D.J. Baxter, who pointed to a prior city-assisted renewal project along 600 West north of North Temple as a model. "You can see the difference there."

Unlike a typical redevelopment project, in which a process to determine blight must be followed, the program would be funded through a community-development area. A CDA is a new branch of RDA legislation that taps only the city's and county's portion of property taxes.

Councilman Carlton Christensen, the RDA board member pushing the new program, would like to focus on two to four areas, perhaps in the city's northwest quadrant, that could benefit from infrastructure upgrades ranging from new sidewalks to housing rebuilds. During council tours of the capital, Christensen noted each member has identified good neighborhoods that still seem to be "struggling."

Before selecting specific streets to invest in, Christensen would like to identify what schools may be suffering from low enrollment - a factor that may prompt an influx of cash.

Council members Nancy Saxton and Dave Buhler agreed that the neighborhood-rehabilitation plan is a "great idea." Saxton, however, called for "walkability," suggesting the city negotiate with the Utah Transit Authority to ensure transit options when selecting the redevelopment areas.

If the program moves forward, staff members note, a new, full-time employee may be needed to administer it.

djensen@sltrib.com