Indianapolis undergoes Super Bowl face lift

INDIANAPOLIS - The downtown area of Indianapolis looks a lot different from the air less than two weeks before Super Bowl XLVI.

Plenty of changes are also evident from the ground, with preparations for about 150,000 out-of-town visitors nearing completion.

"Downtown Indianapolis has really come alive with all things Super Bowl this week," said Dianna Boyce, director of communications for the Super Bowl Host Committee . "You've started to see banners go up on the side of buildings. You've started to see the skywalks wrapped in the color."

The JW Marriott is getting ready for its shining moment. The NFL chose the building to display a huge banner of the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Crews have spent six days getting it in position.

"It will be 34 stories and a wonderful welcome for all of the people attending the Super Bowl," said Anne Dunlavy, director of sales and marketing at JW Marriott.

Tents are going up around Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center to shelter fans from the cold as they enjoy Super Bowl entertainment.

Stages are being set up at several entertainment venues, and vendors are about ready to set up shop.

Randy Fisher, RTV6's helicopter pilot, has been getting a daily bird's-eye view of the progression.

"It's really coming together, every day, every morning," Fisher said. "It's something different that I notice I didn't notice the day before."

Super Bowl XLVI Roman numerals, about 30 feet tall, are being put up on the south spoke of Monument Circle.

"If you're coming up Meridian (Street), they will be straight in front of you on Monument Circle," Boyce said.