Nash Square Public Realm Plan 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 the new Raleigh City Hall 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 the new Raleigh City Hall. 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 include:  

1. Enhance the Public Realm: Strengthen the look, feel, and function of the square and the spaces around it, creating smooth, comfortable transitions between Nash Square and nearby streets and buildings.
2. Integrate New Development: Adapt the square’s design to harmonize with the new City Hall and adjacent public and private developments.
3. Preserve Historical Integrity: Acknowledge and protect the historical significance of Nash Square while updating its amenities and layout.
4. Plan for the Future: Create a long-term management strategy that keeps Nash Square resilient and relevant, including a plan to protect and care for its historic tree canopy.