Populous Lays Off Around 36 Workers In Across-The-Board Cuts
By Don Muret, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal
Sports' biggest architect, Populous, laid off about 36 employees last week, across-the-board cuts that include STEPHANIE GRAHAM, the firm's sustainability coordinator. Populous Senior Principal JIM WALTERS confirmed the cuts, which amount to 7.5% of the company's work force of about 500, but he declined to identify sports designers who lost their jobs. Sources in K.C.'s sports design community said most individuals affected had worked in administrative and support positions for Populous. "We are not immune to the general business climate," Walters said. Graham joined the former HOK Sport in August '07 after the company created a new position to consult with the firm's designers to develop eco-friendly major league arenas and stadiums, including several venues seeking LEED certification. Graham previously worked 25 years for HNTB, another large K.C.-based sports architect, as an interior designer with a focus on sustainability. Populous designed Nationals Park in DC, MLB's first LEED-certified ballpark that opened in March '08. The company is also working with teams and municipalities to seek LEED certification for Target Field, the Twins' new ballpark; big-league arenas in Orlando and Pittsburgh; and a new college basketball arena in Louisville. All four buildings are set to open in '10. The elimination of Graham's position has nothing to do with Populous' commitment to continue designing sports facilities to meet LEED standards, Walters said. The firm still employs more than 60 LEED-credited professionals, he said. LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a sustainability program established by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council.
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