Two multi-story car parks are set for refurbishment works costing more than £2m.
Sunderland City Council will consider the plans for the St Mary's and Sunniside car parks in the city centre on Thursday.
St Mary's, near City Hall, was opened in 1993 and officials said its heavy usage and old age meant repairs including replacement lighting were needed.
Sunniside opened in 2004 but the council said it was "under-utilised" and there was a "perceived lack of safety from its users". Plans for both projects will be discussed next week.
The local authority plans to repair Sunniside's corroded steel frame and clean "bird detritus" which is widespread throughout the car park.
It also said it wanted to install new electric vehicle chargers and Wi-Fi at the site.
The refurbishment of Sunniside is expected to cost about £1.5m, whereas works at St. Mary's are budgeted at £620,000.
The council said the works were required to "maintain the full functionality" of the car parks.