A $60 MILLION plan to revive Rundle Mall advocates balcony-level bars, a rooftop cinema, free parking and a tram loop taking in North Tce to bring shoppers back to the strip.

The Adelaide City Council will today reveal its long-awaited Mall masterplan, which includes new paving, lighting heritage buildings, landmark entry and exit gates, and new public art, to deliver a unique shopping experience.

The council is considering allocating rates from precinct traders to the Rundle Mall Authority, which would then take control of the construction budget. It hopes to attract investment from Mall property owners to develop the balcony-level bars and eateries.

The project comes on top of the council's $24 million Victoria Square upgrade, which is already straining its Budget.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said the plan would guide development of the Mall over the next decade and act as a blueprint for public and private investment.

Initiatives include:

ALLOWING free parking on weekends and after business hours.

RELAXING planning guide lines to revive "dead spaces", including building basements and upper levels.

ICONIC Mall gates with TV screens displaying weather and news information.

USING the existing Stephens Place TV screen as a Federation Square-style hub for major events including sporting broadcasts.

MAKING the Gawler Place intersection a seated stage dedicated to performances and marked by a large archway structure.

REMOVING blank wall panels from Charles St, which links the Mall to North Tce, to encourage food and high-end retail outlets in the Myer laneway.

OPENING James Place and Twin St, on the Mall's southern side, to alfresco dining and to take advantage of walk-through traffic.

EXTENDING the tram line in a loop along North Tce and Frome and Grote streets and up to Adelaide Oval.

ARTISTIC night lighting of heritage buildings.

APPROVAL for a rooftop cinema, with the building yet to be decided.

The Mall's Balls, pig sculptures and fountain will be retained.

The Mall attracts 23 million visitors a year who spend an estimated $800 million, but its share of the state's total retail spending has dropped to 4 per cent in recent decades.

Masterplan architects cite the growth of suburban hubs, including Burnside Village, the rise of internet shopping and the lack of dining and entertainment such as that offered by The Parade, Norwood, as reasons for the decline.

The masterplan aims to help lure shoppers from nearby precincts including the upgraded Adelaide Oval and Riverbank.

Rundle Mall Management Authority chairman Theo Maras said the need to enhance the precinct had "never been greater".

He said private investors buoyed by the prospect of an overarching Mall plan had earmarked $800 million for new retail and office buildings.

"What we're about is creating that experience ... that will bring people back to the city, not only to shop, eat and play but to live there as well," Mr Maras said yesterday. He said the Mall was also attempting to lure "exclusive" big-name brands.

The plan has been released for a month of public consultation and an interactive touch screen in Gawler Place will let shoppers review it and give feedback.

The council plans to commit money to the overhaul in next year's budget, and have new paving and the Gawler Place performance space completed by 2014. Building is expected to begin next year.

Mr Yarwood said councillors had indicated support for spending $12 million over the next three years and the amount might be doubled.

But handing over rates and the construction budget to the Rundle Mall Authority was an option.

"There will be a review of governance as part of this process to determine if we should be doing things differently," he said.

The project might progress in stages as money became available and to prevent a construction bottleneck turning shoppers away.

Outgoing Premier Mike Rann wants a tram loop around Light Square and Gouger St when Budget conditions improve.

Mr Yarwood said it was "well overdue".

"It will be absolutely integral to not only retail, but also to education, commercial and residential development and revitalisation of the city," he said.

"A tram loop needs to be locked in sooner rather than later so we know where it's going and ... plan accordingly."

Mr Yarwood said he hoped the council's financial support for the Mall would encourage the state and federal governments to kick in.

Originally published as Look what's in store with this $60m plan