West Campus: Building Removal

The City of Raleigh is taking another step in the transformation of the former hospital campus into a premier public park. 

Following the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ relocation to a new headquarters in late 2025, four buildings on the west side of campus—Adams, Ashby, Kirby and Williams—are being removed. 

Each of the office buildings in this demolition phase contain documented hazardous materials such as lead and asbestos. These materials are carefully removed before demolition to ensure safety for workers, visitors, and the surrounding environment. 

For decades, much of the Dix Park site has been covered by buildings, roads, and parking lots. The Master Plan calls for returning large portions of this land to nature and public use. Removing surplus structures allows the park to: 

• Create more open green space for recreation and events 
• Reduce paved surfaces and improve environmental health 
• Lay the groundwork for future trails, trees, and gathering spaces 

Through the comprehensive Building and Site Analysis it was identified which buildings can be adaptively reused and which should be removed. The recommendation: 

• Remove 57 of the 88 former hospital campus buildings 
• Reduce paved surfaces by 58% 
• Reclaim over 80 acres of land for park use  
• Preserve buildings in the historic core for park supportive reuse 

This project is part of a larger, long-term vision for Dix Park—one that prioritizes nature, access, and community connection in the heart of the city. While demolition can feel like an ending, it’s really a beginning: restoring the natural systems and ecology of the Piedmont while creating a greener, more welcoming destination for all.