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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowOrganizers putting together Indianapolis’ bid for the 2012 Super Bowl have established a Web site – www.our2012sb.com – that they hope will become a breeding ground for public comments and suggestions to build their pitch.
Also unveiled in a formal announcement of the bid this afternoon is a community advisory council that will gather ideas about what kind of public party to throw the night before the Super Bowl. In addition, the council will seek ideas for transforming the downtown into a “Super Bowl village” where everyone will come to party-even if they don’t have game tickets.
Leaders want the Super Bowl events to create a “permanent legacy” that would add to the city even after the party tents are packed up. That legacy would involve a permanent structure, although the bid supporters didn’t elaborate.
Colts owner Jim Irsay again pledged $1 million toward the $25 million private fund-raising effort to pay for the festivities. The city most likely will need to spend $1 million to $2 million in public funds if Indianapolis hosts, mostly to pay for extra police presence.
Other backers taking part in the news conference at the Indiana State Museum were Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard; Central Indiana Corporate Partnership President Mark Miles, who is heading the committee; and Eli Lilly and Co. President John Lechleiter, who is heading fundraising efforts.
Houston has announced that it will seek to host the game, and Phoenix is expected to make a decision soon. Bids are due in April and a decision about a host for the 2012 game is expected in May.
Last year, Dallas beat Indianapolis and Phoenix to host the 2011 Super Bowl.
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