The City of Raleigh will have an open public competition to redesign Moore Square into a world-class public space. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the project.

The City plans to have an open call for design ideas, conduct a juried conceptual design competition to select the winning design, and develop and implement a master plan for Moore Square. Two objectives of the project are to create a world-class public space and urban experience for the 21st century and to engage broad public participation throughout the process and in the future.

Deidre Albert, the Director of Marketing for "Marbles Museum," said making Moore Square a more purposeful space would complement area businesses and make the area more inviting and welcoming.

"I think now that we've got the convention center and that there are plans for another destination for live music to be held you know elsewhere that we could really make this the family corner of the city," Albert said.

But for some local business owners, like Angie Holder who owns the relatively new "Remedy Diner," said her business gets a lot of foot traffic from Moore Square and believes it is fine the way it is.

"I don't see what else could be done to make it any better other than having more events there," Holder said.

Sarah Pluckette, who helps with the homeless food ministry in the area, has some concerns about revitalization.

"I think it depends on what course they take, if they're keeping the homeless in mind I think it can help them out," Pluckette said.

No matter how Moore Square changes in the future, some people like painter Jason Byars, said they can change with it.

"If they're trying to revitalize this place, that's a good thing, because a lot of people enjoy it," Byars said.

The City hopes to approve a final design plan for Moore Square in early 2010, a master plan for the park by the summer 2010. The State of North Carolina, which owns Moore Square, will have to agree to the final design before construction could begin in 2011 or later, depending upon the economy.

Today, the City Council approved the first three phases of the six-phase project to redesign Moore Square --- planning, strategy and start-up activities; open call for ideas and juried conceptual design competition.

An open call for ideas will kick off the public's participation in the project, and is scheduled to be held from May to September. A series of three planning events will be held to solicit design ideas for Moore Square. Anyone will be able to submit design ideas, including residents, students at local schools and universities, neighboring landowners, park advocates and environmental groups. All ideas will be summarized, mounted and displayed in an exhibition in Downtown Raleigh. The juried conceptual design competition will start in September and include impaneling a jury to review design ideas. A ceremony will take place in early 2010 to announce the winner of the competition.