RALEIGH - Nearly four years ago, the city of Raleigh approved a master plan to renovate Moore Square and work is underway to change the historic site. As part of that, Raleigh is holding open house events for residents to discuss the project.

Grayson Maughan, parks planner for Raleigh, says the hope is to have residents talk about their expectations for the plan.

"These open houses are to move forward," Maughan says. "We want to build excitement, we want to talk about what the citizens' priorities are for the master plan."

Maughan says the open house talks are also a way to discuss possible programming with city residents to decide what activities Moore Square will hold, in addition to new facilities.

"People have a lot of interests in the café and the restrooms that are proposed," Maughan says. "People have said how they feel that will really elevate Moore Square into an urban park."

And Maughan says Moore Square is important to Raleigh not just because of its historic significance but because of what it allows residents to do.

"With downtown moving forward the way it is, there's a lot of development and excitement moving forward," she says. "It's very integral to give citizens a place to have rest from the rest of the city."

The open houses to discuss the Moore Square project are all this week at City Market in Market Hall, at 2-4 p.m. on Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, and 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday.