OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- The College Baseball Foundation has partnered with global design firm Populous to design the permanent location of the College Baseball Hall of Fame in Overland Park, Kan.

The partnership teams the College Baseball Hall of Fame with one of the most renowned global design firms to construct a dynamic showcase of college baseball within a community they both call home. In addition, the Kansas City metro area is also the location for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The addition of the College Baseball Hall of Fame will further embed the deeply rooted connection between Kansas City and America’s favorite pastime.

“After a comprehensive proposal process that attracted interest from multiple world-class design firms, we determined that Populous was an ideal partner to assist us on the design and buildout of the College Baseball Hall of Fame,” said Tom Jacobs, CEO and executive director, College Baseball Foundation. “Not only is Populous based in Kansas City, but they are widely regarded as the number one design firm in the world dedicated to sports and entertainment venues.

“Populous has a depth and breadth of experience in the collegiate space demonstrated by their more than 300 college projects, including 60 collegiate ballparks. We are excited to tap into this expertise to create a fantastic venue that will tell the story of college baseball, past, present and future, and that will serve as the home for our 160+ Hall of Fame Inductees.”

See Populous Renderings: Rendering 1 | Rendering 2 | Rendering 3 | Rendering 4

The request for proposal process was initiated in April. After requests were received, proposals were reviewed and interviews were conducted with finalists. Populous was then selected to design the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

“This moment in time is incredible for the College Baseball Hall of Fame -- one that celebrates the amazing legacy of great players, coaches, philanthropists and personalities who’ve helped define the game,” said Brian Mirakian, senior principal, Populous. “Not only is this monumental for the city of Overland Park and the region, but it also further solidifies Kansas City as an internationally renowned baseball destination. For Populous to be part of that storyline is an immense honor for our team.”

Last January, the College Baseball Foundation and Visit Overland Park announced that the College Baseball Hall of Fame will be located within the iconic Museum at Prairiefire. Following an extensive search to find the permanent home for the College Baseball Hall of Fame, Overland Park and the Museum at Prairiefire emerged as ideal partners for the College Baseball Foundation through its purposeful vision and united support from the community. Visit Overland Park estimates that the College Baseball Hall of Fame will have a multi-million dollar impact on the local economy when its doors open in 2025.

About the College Baseball Hall of Fame

Each year, more than 190 representatives nationwide vote on the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class. The voting body is comprised of national and regional college baseball media, active and retired coaches, former players, former inductees, college baseball historians and members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) collegiate baseball committee. The College Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2006. Since that time, 165 players, coaches, umpires, administrators and contributors have been selected for induction. Click here for a full list of College Baseball Hall of Fame classes.

About the College Baseball Foundation

The College Baseball Foundation’s purpose is to preserve, elevate and advance the game; to inspire the next generation; to teach those who love college baseball about its rich history and traditions; to celebrate those who make college baseball special; and to honor those who have come before us and built the foundation upon which college baseball thrives today.

About Populous

Populous is a global design firm that began with a singular focus -- to draw people together around the things they love through experiences that capture all the senses and amplify the pure emotion shared in human moments. Over the last 40 years, the firm has designed more than 3,500 projects worth over $60 billion across emerging and established markets. Populous’ comprehensive services include architecture, interior design, event planning and overlay, branded environments, wayfinding, and graphics, planning and urban design, landscape architecture, aviation and transport design, hospitality and sustainable design consulting. Populous has more than 1,400 employees in 29 global offices on four continents with regional centers in Kansas City, London and Brisbane. For more information, visit https://populous.com/.