"Street betterment" means any of the following (when any work in connection therewith is done or performed by or at the instance and request of the owner of the real property abutting the street where such work is to be done or performed): grading, paving of the street, gutter, sidewalk, crosswalk, step, seat, curb, fountain, driveway, tunnel, subway, viaduct, bridge, sewer, instrumentality of sanitation, together with the necessary outlet, or drain, channel for drainage purposes with necessary outlet, pole, post, wire, pipe, conduit, lamp, ornamental light, standards, and any suitable or necessary appliance for the lighting of any street, hydrant and appliance for fire protection, wall, retaining wall, embankment or any appliance, attachment, or appurtenance in connection with any structure or object mentioned in this definition, or any similar structure or object which will improve the whole or any portion of any street. (Prior code § 74012)