Tropicana Field’s proximity to a vibrant waterfront makes it a natural fit for urban density, he said.

“It’s not very common to be able to put together that large a site for a master planned project anywhere in a desirable area like Florida,’’ Richey said. “It’s a special place.’‘

The Tampa Bay Rays, wanting a new stadium elsewhere, have begun to tout the Trop’s redevelopment potential as more valuable to the city than baseball.

The city “is sitting on an enormous piece of land in a rapidly ...