Nash Square Public Realm Plan

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. Nash Square: A 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 21st 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. This project will extend beyond the formal boundaries of the square itself, to incorporate the surrounding streetscapes and public rights-of-way, promoting urban design strategies to create a more cohesive and seamless transition between Nash Square and the surrounding urban context. Key Objectives • Enhance Public Realm: Improve the public realm to create thoughtful transitions between Nash Square and the surrounding urban fabric. • Integrate New Development: Adapt the square’s design to harmonize with new City Hall and adjacent public and private developments. • Preserve Historical Integrity: Acknowledge and protect the historical significance of Nash Square while updating its amenities and layout. • 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 protection and preservation of the historic tree canopy. The City of Raleigh invites qualified design firms, or teams of firms, to submit their qualifications for developing a Public Realm Plan for Nash Square. Firms will demonstrate their qualifications and expertise for the following professional services: • Urban Planning and Design • Landscape Architecture • Historical and Cultural Planning • Public Engagement and Outreach • Civil Engineering • Cost Estimating • Urban Forestry • Transportation Planning and Streetscape Design