By: Shelley R. McCoy
As the 2012 Super Bowl approaches, DSV will be providing you the latest Super Bowl news, views, and information affecting the construction industry. Check back regularly for updates that may affect you!
Although the 2012 Super Bowl is still almost a year away, the City of Indianapolis, the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee, and the National Football League have been hard at work for months planning the big day and preparing the City for its moment in the national spotlight. Sure, Indianapolis may have experience hosting large national events, but the Super Bowl really is unlike any other affair. With several million people traveling to the Indianapolis area and another 111 million catching a glimpse of the City from their TVs during Super Bowl week, the Host Committee, the NFL, and various local partners are already working nonstop to prepare the City for its Super Bowl debut. There is no question that these entities are relying heavily on the local construction industry to assist with their efforts.
For example, the 2012 Host Committee has set its sights on the near Eastside and intends to utilize local designers, developers, and contractors to revitalize, beautify, and renovate several distressed areas through its Legacy Project. Each year, long before the Super Bowl arrives in a city, the NFL chooses a disadvantaged area to leave its mark in hopes of creating an impact that will last long after game day. This year, the near Eastside will see various much-needed construction projects including redevelopment of East 10th Street, renovation of up to 200 homes in and around the blighted area, construction of the NFL Youth Education Town, and other miscellaneous reconstruction projects.
In fact, the 27,000 square foot NFL Youth Education Town, which has earned the name Chase Near Eastside Legacy Center, is already under construction on the campus of Arsenal Technical High School. Although the facility will operate in conjunction with the Indianapolis Public Schools, the project is owned by the John H. Boner Community Center and will provide various health, wellness, cultural, and educational activities to the area’ s disadvantaged children.
The multi-purpose facility was designed by Indianapolis-based RATIO Architects and, like most modernly designed charitable facilities, is seeking LEED certification. Local contractors, Browning Construction and Davis & Associates have created a joint venture to serve as the Construction Manager on the project.
Importantly, and perhaps a sign of an improving economy, the “ Great Recession” has not hampered funding for the Project. In fact, the $11.2 million project, which broke ground November 15, 2010, was completely paid for through private donations and grants before the excavators ever mobilized to the site.
Are you working on one of the NFL Legacy Projects? Let us know by sharing your knowledge and experience in a comment below!