DENVER — As cranes tower over the Denver skyline, in a small conference room near one of them, neighbors gathered to learn about a new plan to create a bike and pedestrian walkway that loops around downtown Denver.

“We’re in the dreaming stage,” senior planner Nate Cormier said.

Tuesday night, he hoped to win support for the proposal. The idea is that more foot and bike traffic through downtown will spur more development.

“These parking lots are not what we want to see along the streets. It’s a chance for new homeowners, new businesses to sprout when this loop is created,” Comier said.

If approved, the pathway would jet from from the Cherry Creek Trail along Wynkoop Street, cross with a piazza in front of Union Station and then shoot up 21st street to Benedict Fountain Park.