Baliles characterized his proposal as a way to spur development by assembling several parcels into a large city-owned tract that might be more attractive to developers.

“Last year and earlier this year we were afforded only one option with a plan that was not very open and transparent,” Baliles said. “This is just the first step in correcting that.”

The resolution carries little legal weight and doesn’t commit the city to purchasing the land. But by passing it, the council has signaled its desire to move forward with efforts to redevelop Shockoe regardless of what the mayor does with his plan. The council also expressed a desire Monday to solicit public input on what kind of development residents might want to see.

The mayor’s administration, particularly the economic development office, has pushed back against the council proposal, saying it could carry substantial costs that have not been budgeted. Council members have contended that since the city spent more than $500,000 to prepare the mayor’s plan, the costs to pick back up on that work should not be unbearable.

The council also voted Monday to support a previous Shockoe revitalization strategy that dates to 2010 and did not include a ballpark for the Richmond Flying Squirrels.