That's the question the Salt Lake City Council struggled to answer Tuesday evening.

Mayor Rocky Anderson wants to spend a total of $4.7 million in three phases.

The City Council, on the other hand, has agreed to fund $1.1 million for Phase I, but is balking on budgeting the entire proposal for Phase II for the 10-acre area between 300 South and 400 South and between 300 West and 400 West.

“Most people don't know we've already allocated over $1 million,” said Councilman Dave Buhler.

Phase I improvements are slated to begin in late October.

The discussion came as the council mulls its Capital Improvement Program budget.

Council members sought compromise Tuesday evening by tentatively agreeing to a proposal from the mayor to shift $400,000 from the Liberty Park budget to Pioneer Park upgrades for Phase II.

“I'm suggesting we make a commitment to the future of the park,” said Councilman Eric Jergensen of the $400,000.

Phase I improvements include a promenade, entry plazas and dog park, among other things.

Originally slated at $1.85 million, Phase II would provide a stage, new restrooms, lighting, and a café among other things.

But the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development turned down Salt Lake City's $900,000 grant application for Phase II. That has put the squeeze on the city's parks budgets.

Tuesday's tentative pledge for $400,000 was limited to improvements on irrigation, lighting and electrical work, on a suggestion from Councilwoman Jill Love.

Like Liberty Park, Pioneer Park may have to be revamped over a long period by completing one small project at a time, Love said.

“I'm willing to spend money there, but there are parts of the plan I don't like,” she said. “Why is there a café planned for the park when it is ringed by cafes?”

Councilwoman Nancy Saxton wondered why more programs haven't been scheduled for Pioneer Park. She pointed to the Farmers Market as a success that hasn't required large expenditures.

“I'd like to find ways to program it as it is,” she said. “Is it the chicken and the egg? Do we get rid of crime first?”

But the mayor pointed to parks in other cities that have been revamped with great success.

New facilities are required to change Pioneer Park, he said.

“My view is leadership requires some investment in this park to change it for the better,” he said in an interview. “This could be one of the finest new urban parks in the country.”

During the past two weeks, the council has heard from a raft of business people and residents urging them to re-create the park as a place for kids, dogs, families and visitors.

Steve Szykula, who lives downtown, told the council that he drives to Liberty Park to jog because Pioneer Park is too scary.

“I wouldn't go there now. There's a perception that there is going to be trouble.”

Jane Brown told the council that her daughter attends West High School. She said students there know that they can get drugs and alcohol at Pioneer Park.

“To leave Pioneer Park in that state is criminal,” she said. “I urge you to do something to change that.”

Arthur Holman, the manager of Marriott's Residence at 400 West and 300 South, asked the council to fund Phase II of the mayor's plan to “shift equilibrium so that other people can use the park.”

csmart@sltrib.com