Indy Awaits 'Super' News

ATLANTA -- Members of the Indianapolis Super Bowl Bid Committee are quietly optimistic about the city's chances of landing the 2012 Super Bowl in the hours before their presentation on Tuesday.

The committee hopes to convince the NFL's 32 team owners that Indianapolis is up to the challenge of hosting the big game, but the city faces stiff competition from Glendale, Ariz., and Houston -- two cities that have already been hosts.

Team owners listened to 15-minute presentations from each city, with Indianapolis presenting first. The NFL will announce the winner, likely before 3 p.m. 6News plans to carry the decision live, as does TheIndyChannel.com.

"We tweaked a few things, and we feel prepared," said Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. "I think we're going to have a great presentation and our dress rehearsal went really well."

Key components of Indianapolis' bid include Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts' new home, and the city's accessible downtown area.

The city's plan includes a Super Bowl village, which would be within a square mile in the heart of downtown.

"Participating teams not having to drive and travel a lot to get to their complexes where they'll be practicing before the game, as well as everyone being downtown and hotel rooms being connected -- big things," Irsay said.

The bid also highlights Indianapolis' $1.1 billion airport, a Friday night party at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Saturday night concert on Monument Circle before the big game.

Five people chosen by the bid committee are delivering Indianapolis' presentation in person, including Indianapolis Public Schools superintendent Dr. Eugene White.

A couple of weeks ago, the committee used eighth-graders from all over central Indiana hand-deliver binders full of information about Indianapolis' bid to team owners.

Indianapolis officials said they want to leave a lasting legacy if the city wins the bid.

Part of the proposal includes a Super Bowl training facility at Arsenal Tech High School that would become a recreational center for children on the east side long after the game is over.

"You want to have something that affects the community for years to come," Irsay said. "This is about ... helping our city and state and connecting the whole community."