The last-minute photo opportunity on Monument Circle Tuesday morning drew in a small crowd.
"We just wanted to get out here and take a few pictures before it's all gone," said Angela Smith.
Smith and others did not have long. By Tuesday afternoon, the Roman Numerals display was moved from South Meridian to a storage facility on the city's east side.
"They each need their own over-sized flatbed truck,” said Frank Hancock, CEO of Sport Graphics. “They'll come down one by one and then they have to take down the stands which have 14,000 pounds of concrete."
The Indianapolis company will store the numerals until next year, until they head to New Orleans with an additional "I" for Super Bowl XLVII.
Hancock said he was blown away by the number of locals and tourists who showed up to take a photo of the numerals.
His company also worked with the JW Marriott Indianapolis and the National Football League to plan the giant logo, numerals and Lombardi Trophy decorations on the side of the hotel.
General Manager Scott Blalock said he did not anticipate the decorations being so popular with guests and visitors.
"There was a point when we first turned the lights on where we worried what guests might think from inside their room, but we didn't have any guests with any concerns,” said Blalock. “They loved being on this side of the hotel and getting to see the excitement.”
The hotel decided to hold a photo contest for people who took pictures of the building. Greenfield resident Gary Cochard was the lucky winner.
"I decided to come up here and I thought the best view was from the top of the parking garage at the Government Center, so I went up there and I fell in love with the shot before I even took it," said Cochard.
Cochard won a free night's stay and dinner but said he is also just happy to have been part of such a special place in Indiana's history.
"The whole city made me proud, proud to live in Central Indiana," said Cochard.
Cochard is currently working as an electrician but said he'd like to turn his photography skills into a career. He said anyone interested in seeing more of his work can contact him at g.cochard@yahoo.com.
Crews will start peeling off the 33,000 square feet of material on the JW Marriott Friday.
