Jones has said his priority is developing the property to generate tax revenue for the city. His office has argued in the past that a stadium takes too much land away from potential retail and office development.

The Flying Squirrels have begun lobbying City Council members directly, delivering a packet of materials late last month with information about stadium developments in other cities.

“It has been widely publicized that the administration feels that the 65-plus acres on the Boulevard tract is not generating enough revenue for the city,” wrote Chuck Domino, the Squirrels’ chief executive. “We don’t disagree. However, what is never made clear is that the stadium itself only uses 8 acres, which leaves the remaining 57 acres available for development and shared parking.”

Domino also said the team is prepared to “pay our fair share for a major renovation to The Diamond or for a new ballpark on the Boulevard.”

The Squirrels also distributed a letter from Virginia Commonwealth University’s athletic director, Ed McLaughlin, saying that “VCU supports the Richmond Flying Squirrels and their desire to remain in the city of Richmond.”

VCU’s baseball team plays at The Diamond.