The city has been working on the plan for 15 years, Oldroyd said. The Howard Bend Levee was built to protect the adjacent farmland and allow for just such a project.

Oldroyd said he had never heard of another development of this size. “It’s a major development for the region, sure,” he said.

The idea, he said, is to build a “town center” of sorts, with retail, office space, entertainment and sports venues — yes, perhaps even a Major League Soccer stadium.

“You have access,” he said, “and the land to create a facility like that.”

Bornstein did not reply to phone calls seeking comment.

Only three people came to Thursday’s council meeting to express concern about the redevelopment and Bornstein’s proposal.

David Stokes, the incoming director for the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, said he thinks it’s “preposterous” that the city would think of allowing such a project in a flood plain and support it with tax money, especially in light of the damage done in parts of the region by flooding in December.

“The idea that you would subsidize 1,800 acres of flood plain development, well, it’s always a terrible idea,” he said.