City Councilmember Richie Floyd is proposing to extend the 30-day window for Tropicana Field redevelopment bids to 90 days.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg City Councilmember is asking the city to give developers more time to submit plans for redeveloping the Gas Plant and Tropicana Field site, a project expected to reshape about 86 acres in the heart of the city.

Council member Richie Floyd has filed a resolution requesting that the city issue a formal request for proposals, or RFP, with detailed criteria and a 90-day window for submissions. The mayor’s office currently plans to open a 30-day period later this month after receiving an unsolicited proposal to redevelop the site.

Floyd said the short timeline could limit competition and reduce the quality of bids submitted for what’s expected to be a multi-billion-dollar project.

“It’s a huge piece of property. The last deal was about $6 billion. You need more time than 30 days to get together a big bid for that project, especially a quality bid that can compete,” Floyd said.

He said issuing a formal RFP would not only give developers more time but also let the city define its priorities, such as affordable and senior housing, public amenities, and jobs for residents.

“I think the time period is what’s most important, but an RFP also gives us the opportunity to say what we want to see at the site in a way that an unsolicited bid doesn’t,” Floyd said.

“Taking our time and doing it right will be really important. Because we could really create a wonderful space for everyone that enriches people’s lives in the city, that provides recreation and great services,” he added.

But not everyone wants to wait. Mark Ferguson, the owner of Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill near Tropicana Field, said he wants to see the city move forward.

“The sooner the better to get started,” Ferguson said. “I know there’s a timeline for everything, but we’ve been waiting so long. Let’s pick someone and get moving.”

Ferguson said keeping space available for the baseball team is important as the Rays decide where they’ll play in the future.

10 Tampa Bay reached out to Mayor Ken Welch’s office for comment but did not hear back. City Council is expected to discuss Floyd’s resolution during a meeting on Thursday.