Nash Square: Urban Oasis or Tree Graveyard?

Planning DTRaleigh
21

I like the path layout and entrances in #1, and the water feature and the mid-block entrance to City Hall in #3. I think they all seem like improvements over the existing conditions.

5 Likes
22

Well that would require additional studies, duh!!!

6 Likes
23

There are aspects of 2 and 3 that, IMO, elevate it above 1.
I like the chicane streets and how they allow the park to feel connected to the parcels north and south of the square. This type of street design makes you feel like you are going through the park, not around it.
I like the water feature of 3, and would love to see that incorporated into #2.
I’m not sure how I feel about the curbless street idea in 1. I worry about drunk or distracted drivers just plowing into pedestrians because they are unaware that they left the street. At least the curb in the chicane street will be an indicator that you are leaving a road.
In general, I like that they are being thoughtful about the terrain within the park boundaries.

2 Likes
24

For now the biggest issue with Nash is the lack of life in the blocks next to it.

The ground retail in the Nash Apts and the N&O block redevelopment (when it happens in a decade :skull_and_crossbones:) could blend with the park.

3 Likes
25

I want to be so excited for the Nash Square planning and potential, but after the City spent $12.5 million to renovate Moore square just to have the massive public safety issue that it has become is difficult. I’d like for the focus to actually be on Moore Square and solving the issues before investing in another place that could turn out the same.

1 Like
26

That’s more of a GORaleigh Station design and operations issue than a Moore Square issue. Highly complicated and complex issues at Moore Square should not be an excuse to not improve other parts of downtown.

Edit: That mindset gets you a Dix Park only scenario instead of a Dix Park, Chavis Park Pool, Smoky Hollow Park scenario (to use the City’s park planning as an example). Don’t get me wrong, GORaleigh Station needs to be redesigned and possibly see a decrease amount of route connections.

9 Likes