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The Civic Projects and Places unit leads the design and implementation of public realm-related capital improvement projects, leveraging expertise in urban design, data analysis, capital budgeting, and coordinating across City departments. This unit also provides technical services, including GIS/spatial analysis, CIP prioritization for Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects, concept designs and renderings, as well as facilitating community engagement for implementation efforts. This team specializes in urban design and placemaking services for civic projects that lend a unique local identity and improve the quality of life experience. With each project implemented, this team advocates excellence in urban design, cultural inclusion, sustainability, and beauty.
The key services provided by the Civic Projects + Places unit are focused on the implementation of civic projects:
- Project management and internal coordination: This team leads and facilitates the coordination and management of prioritized civic implementation projects/plans. The team takes the lead in the early phase of project delivery, initiating capital planning, developing concepts, and preliminary design products for prioritized civic projects. Beyond that, they facilitate coordination and monitoring of the schematic design and construction phases of the project, working with our internal partners. The team strives to ensure effective coordination and management for successful project implementation through all phases of a civic project.
- Capital planning: This team leads the review and prioritization of capital projects in adopted planning documents through a lens of equity, departmental alignment, sustainability, and other city priorities. They develop strategies for implementation, including partnering with other city departments for funding, scheduling, and project delivery. They advocate for the implementation of planned projects in the city’s budget and pursue other creative funding sources.
- New civic places program: This new program, envisioned and administered by the team, is focused on the creation of higher-quality public spaces that lend a unique local identity and better connect the place and its people for a better quality of life experience. The small-scale projects eligible under this program could range from streetscape elements, public plazas, sidewalks, bikeways, ramp improvements, and public space activations. The program has received funding in 2 fiscal years. Projects completed and funded by this program include City Plaza improvements and artwrap of One Exchange Plaza. Other small-scale projects are underway.
- Streetscape plan program: This team administers the city’s streetscape plan program for all privately and publicly initiated streetscape plans, shepherding them through the legislative process for final adoption. The team also advises on streetscape improvements for city-led projects. If you are contemplating a custom streetscape, please reach out to the team.
- Strategizing multimodal infrastructure delivery: this team leads an inter-departmental working group focused on developing strategies for enhancing multimodal connectivity between the city’s key current and future activity centers. They continue to develop new methodologies that assess critical connectivity gaps in target areas. They partner with the City’s transportation team to explore creative strategies for funding and implementing projects that address connectivity gaps citywide with an equity lens.
Supported Projects
South Park Heritage Trail Implementation
The South Park Heritage Trail is an approximately two-mile-long cultural trail in the South Park-East Raleigh neighborhood that integrates cultural and historical interpretation, wayfinding and signage, public art, and streetscape and accessibility enhancements. The concept design phase was led by the Civic Places team. This project has moved into the design and construction phase.
Commerce Place Streetscape – Tactical Phase
The proposed Commerce Place streetscape project intends to transform a unique block-long alley in the Warehouse District, mostly used for loading and unregulated vehicle parking, into a pedestrian-oriented place. Public realm improvements could include streeteries, public art, shared street design, greenery, and other amenities. The tactical phase of this project is complete.
Active Projects Supported
City Plaza Improvements
To make City Plaza on Fayetteville Street a more usable and enjoyable space, public realm improvements including shade structures, greenery, additional seating, and temporary activations such as pickleball courts and mini golf, have been introduced to this central outdoor area. This project is currently nearing its completion stage.
Fayetteville Street Streetscape Plan
The Fayetteville Street Streetscape Plan develops an updated regulatory streetscape plan for Fayetteville Street to set design standards for landscaping, lighting, public art, site furnishings, and pedestrian improvements. The updated design aims to increase flexibility for events and businesses, improve walkability, and support local businesses. The project is currently underway.
Strollway: Fourth Ward
The Strollway: Fourth Ward is a pedestrian-oriented project that aims to honor the rich history and culture of Raleigh’s historic Fourth Ward neighborhood through interpretive signage, art, and small social spaces along its length. The extent of this project is in the southwestern part of downtown Raleigh and mainly follows along segments of West South Street and South Saunders Street.
To this end, a conceptual design and public engagement process will be needed to realize this vision. As of August 2025, the project is underway, currently under contract negotiations with the selected consultant team to develop the conceptual design and manage the public engagement for the project.