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GREENSBORO - It's a wish list that might make Santa cringe.

In this case, the city would be happy if it gets even one of the items it wants.

The City Council this week approved a 62-item, $309 million list of construction projects that the city could launch with the help of the promised economic stimulus package from Congress and the Obama administration.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday pressed Democrats to pass the package, which is expected to cost $775 billion, by mid-February. President-elect Barack Obama is expected to make his arguments for his economic stimulus plan in a speech today.

City leaders and legislators are unsure what kind of projects might qualify for the stimulus. But Greensboro has millions of dollars worth of projects - new hybrid buses, building the $42 million Townsend dam - that city officials would gratefully pay off with federal funds.

"We need to make sure our members of Congress see this list," Assistant City Manager Denise Turner said. "We need to be a part of that process."

Pelosi said that the proposed package would include money for roads and bridges, clean energy technology, Internet access and schools.

"They've got to be things that are already ready to go so they will have an immediate stimulus effect," said Rep. Mel Watt, a Charlotte Democrat who represents part of Guilford County.

Greensboro's wish list includes road and sidewalk improvements, nearly

$2 million worth of roof replacements and $20 million for water and sewer infrastructure - all projects the city could start within a few months.

"Nobody with an old city is doing enough water and sewer line replacement," said Alan Williams, city director of water resources. "If we had access to some additional monies we could get that on the street in a hurry."

But Greensboro's wish list is more expansive than just traditional infrastructure projects. It also includes $10 million worth of park development, $5 million to renovate War Memorial Stadium and $50 million to renovate War Memorial Auditorium. Council members added the auditorium Tuesday night.

"If we are going to ask, we might as well make a big ask," Councilman Mike Barber said.

Although it's unclear whether the package would include money for things such as parks, the parks planning administrator, Candice Bruton, said that historic Works Progress Administration projects included recreation facilities.

"We're just kind of hopeful that we won't get lost in this package," she said. "But of course, priorities are priorities. We get that."

Some projects on Greensboro's stimulus list have identified funding sources, either through general issue or revenue bonds.

But some of those projects have been delayed while the city waits for more favorable economic conditions.

City leaders said they would avoid taking on new debt if the federal government could pay.

"It will be a great new revenue stream," Turner said. "We could divert money to other projects or help to save money."

Although the stimulus package is talked about as something that almost certainly will happen, it has opponents.

U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican, said the spending proposed by Obama won't necessarily be what's needed to pull the economy out of its doldrums.

"I don't think we should make the same mistakes we did in the 1930s," Foxx said.

Staff writer Mark Binker in Washington contributed. Reporting from the Associated Press is included.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert @news-record.com

The City Council has approved a 62-item, $309 million list of construction projects that Greensboro could launch with the help of the promised economic stimulus package from Congress and the Obama administration.

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

Bus maintenance and operations facility: $17 million

Cone and Nealtown Road extensions: $10 million

New Garden Road improvements: $5.5 million

Hornaday Road extension: $4.5 million

Hybrid buses (purchase four): $2.5 million

Sidewalk installation (multiple locations): $3.5 million

Corridor improvements (High Point/Lee, Summit, South Elm-Eugene): $18 million

Fleming Road-Horsepen Creek Road connection: $4 million

Creek Ridge Road (widening, sidewalk installation): $6.5 million

Lake Jeanette Road (widening, sidewalk installation): $6 million

ENGINEERING AND INSPECTIONS

Roof replacements per building:

Melvin Municipal: $510,000

Glenwood Recreation Center: $174,000

Fire Station No. 12: $82,560

Fire Station No. 40: $85,000

Fire Station No. 14: $85,000

Fire Station No. 9: $73,680

Fire Station No. 7: $76,800

Fire Station No. 8: $85,200

Lewis Recreation Center: $205,920

Service Center at Patton Avenue (Department of Transportation): $52,800

Service Center at Patton Avenue ("A" building): $256,380

Smith Building: $47,304

Brown Recreation Center: $164,712

Warnersville Recreation Center: $73,200

FIELD OPERATIONS

Street resurfacing (multiple locations): $17.5 million

Bridge repairs: $1 million

Sidewalk/curb (remove and replace): $3.4 million

Park infrastructure maintenance: $3.1 billion

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Fire stations (two new locations associated with annexation, Elm-Eugene Street and Randleman Road): $7 million

WATER RESOURCES

Townsend Dam (upgrade and replace system): $42 million

Incinerator (upgrade and install redundant system): $27.4 million

Randleman feeder main: $20 million

Water-sewer replacement (multiple locations): $20 million

Storm water (replace culverts, multiple locations): $5 million

PARKS AND RECREATION

Parking lot Warnersville (new): $80,000

Parking lot Sportsplex (new): $280,000

Senior Center (ADA) Smith Center: $240,000

War Memorial Stadium (upgrade and refurbishment): $5 million

Regional Park Roadway Infrastructure Repaving: $618,000

Greenway resurfacing (multiple locations): $500,000

Tennis court repairs and rebuilds (multiple locations): $775,000

Basketball court resurfacing (multiple locations): $300,000

Grimsley pool renovation: $150,000

Trail bridge replacements (multiple locations): $657,800

Forest Lawn water line replacement: $165,000

Lake Brandt jetty repair: $100,000

Lake Townsend jetty and bulkhead repair and renovation: $292,200

Security and fire alarm systems (recreation centers): $200,000

Security system and cameras, neighborhood parks (various locations): $60,000

Keeley Park: $4 million

Recreation center, southwest region: $6 million

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Bessemer Center (Phillips Avenue) redevelopment: $1.2 million

Alliance property purchase: $2 million

Peeler Center streetscape: $100,000

King-Bragg intersection improvement: $300,000

Bragg Street streetscape and greenway improvement: $300,000

Willow Oaks (South English Street housing assistance): $470,000

Multi-family rehabilitation: $600,000

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Police specialty vehicle storage: $4 million

Police substation: $5.2 million

GREENSBORO COLISEUM COMPLEX

War Memorial Auditorium renovations: $50 million