Project Overview

As one of Raleigh’s original four public squares, Nash Square is a historic civic landmark at the heart of downtown. Shaded by a beloved canopy of mature oaks and other hardwoods, Nash Square has served many roles over the centuries. It functions as both a destination and a crossroads, a shady respite and a space for play, home to memorials of the past as well as a time capsule for the future. Today, with the construction of Raleigh’s new Civic Campus on the north side of the square and a wave of urban redevelopment expected around its edges, Nash Square is poised at a moment of transition. 

The Nash Square Public Realm Plan will guide this transition, providing a long-range vision and management plan for the preservation and evolution of one of Downtown Raleigh’s most iconic public spaces. Grounded in community input and thoughtful urban design, this plan will ensure that Nash Square remains a resilient, relevant, and vibrant civic space for the 21^st Century.  

This plan will recognize Nash Square as not merely a park, but as an enduring public square and extension of Raleigh’s new Civic Campus. The project will take a broad view of the square and its surroundings, promoting holistic urban design strategies to create a more cohesive and seamless transition between Nash Square and the surrounding urban context.

Key Objectives of the project include:  

Enhance the Public Realm: Provide design and management recommendations to promote a cohesive public realm experience with thoughtful transitions between Nash Square and the surrounding urban fabric. 

1. Integrate New Development: Adapt the square’s design to harmonize with the new City Hall and adjacent public and private developments.
2. Preserve Historical Integrity: Acknowledge and protect the historical significance of Nash Square while updating its amenities and layout.
3. Plan for the Future: Develop a management strategy for the long-term resilience and relevance of Nash Square, including a comprehensive management plan focused on the protection and preservation of the historic tree canopy.