STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- When asked what might lead tourists on the Staten Island Ferry to spend a little time here, the world’s largest Ferris wheel might not be the first thing that comes to mind.

But it just might do the trick.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation is in heavy negotiations with a company to build a giant observation wheel — bigger than famous tourist attraction the London Eye and the world’s largest wheel, the Singapore Flyer — on a parcel near the ferry terminal, the Advance has learned.

The wheel would top out at more than 600 feet, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations. And it’s just part of possible plans for 14 acres of city-owned waterfront property that could also include high-end outlet shopping.

The EDC put out a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for the two sites near the ferry last August, but wouldn’t comment today on the specifics of what is being considered for the locations.

'COMPELLING RESPONSE'

“We received several compelling responses to the RFEI and are in active negotiations with multiple respondents as we work toward unlocking the significant economic development potential of these two important sites on Staten Island’s North Shore,” NYCEDC spokesman Kyle Sklerov told the Advance tonight.

PARKING PRESERVED

The two sites are currently used as parking lots for the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George, and the St. George Ferry Terminal. But baseball lovers and ferry commuters, fear not: The RFEI calls for all publicly available parking to be replaced during the development, and for new parking to be added, if necessary.

The parcel where the Ferris wheel is being considered is located between the Postcards Memorial and Jersey Street. The other parcel put out for an RFEI, is closer to the ferry terminal, located between it and the ballpark. For that site, upscale shopping outlets have been proposed by another company, and would be built on a platform above a parking lot, according to the source.

The towering wheel proposed for the waterfront would be designed in the same vein as giants like the London Eye, 443 feet tall, and the Singapore Flyer, which is the tallest at 541 feet. Both are very popular tourist attractions.

The London Eye (or the EDF Energy London Eye, as it’s currently named for a corporate sponsor) is located on the banks of the Thames River, and boasts 32 air-conditioned passenger capsules, each of which can carry 25 people. A trip around the wheel takes about 30 minutes, and the wheel doesn’t stop — riders step into the gondolas as they move, like a ski lift.

Capsules are available to rent for private parties — including a wedding package that allows the bride, groom and 19 guests to take two consecutive rides and pop a bottle of champagne on the way down.

Standard adult tickets are 15 pounds sterling (around $23). If you want to skip the lines — and aren’t sure what day you want to visit — a priority boarding flexible ticket costs 31.50 pounds (approximately $49). Those who want a longer ride and a drink can opt for the 40 Pound Vinopolis Wine Tasting Experience ($62) — an hourlong ride that features five wine tastings.

The Singapore Flyer takes the gourmet Ferris wheel experience even further, offering full butler sky dining for $299 a couple — that pays for two rotations, or about an hourlong ride; and four courses of food with dessert, coffee and tea served in the capsule. The current menu offers a chicken, fish, lamb and vegetarian option for the main courses, and an Oreo cheesecake for dessert. Wine pairings cost extra.

Both of those wheels attract millions of tourists annually — the London Eye carries 3.5 million visitors a year. The wheel here could have a built-in audience: The Staten Island Ferry carries 2 million tourists annually, most of whom get back on the boat without spending any time in the borough.