A new preliminary development plan for the Halsted Triangle neighborhood features pocket parks, wider sidewalks, bigger bike lanes, and bike-sharing kiosks.

The plan, unveiled by city officials Wednesday night, is aimed at addressing rapid growth in the area, which is bounded by North Avenue, Division Street, Halsted Street and the North Branch Canal.

The plan provides a road map for growth over the next decade, and addresses the area's aging infrastructure. It also contemplates ways to decrease vacant lots and increase pedestrian and bicycle usability.

"There's kind of an auto focus right now and we want to shift that. We need to encourage transit by non-auto modes," said David Whyte of Kimley-Horn and Associates, a transportation and land-use firm contracted by the city.

Whyte said the plan also includes a shopping shuttle and a new Brown Line stop in the area.

Nearly 80 people gathered at the Steppenwolf Theatre to listen to plan details and voice their opinions.

Several of them said biking in the triangle is hazardous because of the heavy traffic and already narrow streets. Adding bike lanes to roadways would also cause traffic flow issues.

"It may be the most politically correct thing to say, but they don't work," said Terry Leja, a Chicago transplant from San Francisco. Leja noted that several bike-lane projects in San Francisco had failed.

Other residents said a chain retailer in the area often fails to clear snow from its sidewalks in the winter, making walking difficult.

Resident Diane Levin said traffic has grown on Kingsbury as motorists seek to avoid congestion on Halsted Street.

Whyte said there were no plans to to widen streets, but that the plan could lessen traffic problems by encouraging motorists to bike, take the El, walk, or use shuttles.

The city is hoping to finalize the plan this summer.

Alderman Vi Daley, who gave an opening address at the meeting, said the plan is open to change.

"I know a lot of people thought this plan was set in stone. It is not." Daley said.

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