INDIANAPOLIS — The city of Indianapolis is now returning to normal after a busy NBA All-Star Weekend.
The signs that welcomed tens of thousands of people to Indy are coming down. Businesses and restaurants are recovering from one of the busiest weekends so far this year.
By the week's end, most of the NBA All-Star signs will be removed as the city prepares for the next big event – the NFL Combine. Turae Dabney, of People for Urban Progress, said they expect to get material from those signs and repurpose them.
The organization takes the old materials like vinyl, mesh and fabric to design purses, bookbags and totes that can be reused.
They're working with Sport Graphics, a locally-owned company who created many of the signs you would see walking through the city.
"I started the company in 1985 when the All-Star Game (came to Indianapolis),” Frank Hancock said. “Our design group, called Section 127, did all the graphic design for the NBA."
Hancock said the graphics are a lot easier to take down than to put up. The company plans to recycle all materials used for All-Star Weekend.
There's already an order placed from the All-Star Committee to make reusable bags as a gift for the sponsors.
"No sooner than we take the signs down and say goodbye to our visitors, the NFL is racing into our city," said Chris Gahl, of Visit Indy. “It's a pretty epic 10-day stretch to have an event like the NBA All-Star Weekend and then turn around and welcome the NFL.”
The NFL Combine will take over the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, along with many of the downtown hotels, businesses and restaurants, Gahl said. The combine will take place Thursday, Feb. 29 through Sunday, March 3.
After the NFL Combine leaves the city, March Madness will follow, making 2024 arguably the most busy year in terms of tourism in the history of Indianapolis.