INDIANAPOLIS -
There's money to be made. People are eager to cash in on Super Bowl XLVI, and it's not just hotels, restaurants and stores hoping to turn a good profit.
Though the Babe Denny neighborhood just south of Lucas Oil Stadium has long felt neglected, when it comes to the big game, it's sitting pretty.
Linda Floyd grew up near Senate and McCarty.
"We always wanted the Super Bowl to come to Indianapolis, but we never envisioned it in our backyard. It's like wow. It's over the top!" she said.
Floyd and her brother Herb have been cheering every step of the way. Like others in the now mostly industrial neighborhood, they're suddenly living in the right place at the right time.
"We're not trying to gouge, but seeing as we're just 215 steps from the stadium," said Linda.
How many steps? Linda started walking and counting her way to the stadium.
The Floyds guess they can squeeze up to 17 cars on the corner lot, especially when they cut down a second tree.
"We want to make sure we don't damage anyone's car. I'm concerned about that. In the spring we'll plant flowers there," said Linda.
As for what they'll charge?
"We're not trying to get rich, but you're going to have to park. (Fans) are going to park here whether you want them to or not," said Herb.
Indianapolis Welding Supply, which owns several nearby parcels, is also getting in on the game and the events leading up to it. The company has paved one large lot, put in new sidewalks and made several other improvements over the last few months, much of it to comply with city zoning.
IWS and the city had been locked in a long-running legal battle over zoning violations, reaching a settlement last summer.
Melissa Stephens with IWS Realty said while the company will operate its trucks out of another facility during the Super Bowl, it will use many of its lots for parking.
She said roughly 250 spaces will be available starting January 27.
"There's lots going on at Lucas Oil Stadium with tours and Super Bowl Village on Georgia Street is close too, so the starting rate for a spot is $50," Stephens said. But she also noted, "That's subject to demand, so prices could change."
Hilderman Harris, who still lives in his childhood home just south of McCarty, said he was initially a bit skeptical about the Super Bowl and the impact it would have on the neighborhood, but he said the city's worked hard to accommodate residents.
For one, it agreed to keep McCarty open - the one major street accessing the area. It also backed off on requiring residents to pay a fee to park cars on their properties.
He said the Super Bowl has really brought the neighborhood together, and not just to make a quick buck.
"We want to rebuild the neighborhood, and now with our neighborhood in the spotlight, hopefully we'll get assistance to get more homes and things to revitalize our neighborhood," said Harris.
Harris said another outcome is the relationship residents now have with IWS.
While he described it as "contentious" for a long time, "things have really changed. We have a good working relationship and feel they're concerned with helping us revitalize the neighborhood. It's very congenial."
Deka Batteries, meantime, is perhaps the one and only place where a few lucky fans will park for free.
Warehouse manager Dan Liford said the business will be closed (as usual) Super Bowl weekend with no one there to park cars in their entrance.
"We're not charging to park because it's a liability. We don't want anything to go wrong with anyone's car, so it's first-come-first-serve," said Liford.
Back to Linda Floyd. By the time she reached McCarty, she'd counted 100 steps - just 115 more to the LOS property.
"What did we walk? A minute?" she asked. "If you put a pep in your step for real you're there!"
It doesn't get much closer than that.
