Verizon Super Bowl Central Building Excitement in Downtown Phoenix

Construction of the Verizon Super Bowl Central in the downtown Phoenix area began this week, building excitement among fans of Super Bowl XLIX.

The Verizon Super Bowl Central in downtown Phoenix is sure to spice up Super Bowl XLIX.

Chris Williams of 12 News (via AZCentral.com) reported on Jan. 20 that crews began working on the project on Sunday “as a nearby solar-powered Super Bowl XLIX countdown clock ticked away the days, hours, minutes and seconds until kickoff in Glendale.”

Williams spoke with Devney Preuss, senior director of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, who said things are proceeding as scheduled:

“We’re on schedule and excited to see the build-out occurring.

“Really seeing the construction today has been that shot of energy that I think we could all use right now. We’ve been working on this over 14 months, as long as I’ve been on the host committee.”

According to Williams, the Pepsi Hyped for Halftime stage has been already built. Crew members are working on several high-rise structures to the stage’s east. 

Williams added more details about the ongoing construction:

“Even with a wide-open work site, people strain their eyes and imaginations to make sense of the metal, wood and mysterious brown and red, oddly shaped pieces. A group of about a dozen workers gathered around a large wooden frame of the same color. As they steadied the load, a lift operator raised the strange contraption vertically then slowly maneuvered it toward scaffolding. 

“As the workers backed away the design became clearer. This would be part of the interactive Grand Canyon climbing wall that should give visitors that ‘wow’ factor to write home about.

“Preuss gave details: ‘It will stand over 30 feet tall, have a 20-foot water feature in the middle of it as well as an LED screen.'”

The climbing wall’s video screen will feature choice Arizona landscape and sceneries, per Williams. Visitors must pay $5 in order to climb. General admission to Verizon Super Bowl Central, which is open from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1, is free. 

In Tom Brady’s latest FB post, the center of the universe will be in Glendale February 1st. #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/qZM2KttKtj— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) January 20, 2015

In other news, New England Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch, a former Arizona Cardinals draft pick, told AZCentral.com’s Bob McManamon he is excited to play in Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale:

“This year I spent some time on the coach and it kind of knocked me back and humbled me a little bit. I was just waiting for a team and thank God, the Patriots came knocking.

“Going back to Arizona, man, it’s going to be great. It’s super. It’s awesome. I like our chances a lot against those guys. This team is special.

“We’re close. We always have a place where we can dig deep and make the plays we need to make, and we just have to (go) out there and play our best ball because obviously, we’re playing the other best team in the NFL in the Super Bowl. We just have to go out there and perform.”

I4U News will again bring you full coverage of the 2015 Super Bowl Ads. Super Bowl 2015 be between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks and will take place on February 1, 2015 in Arizona. The Super Bowl XLIX game will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. NBC is broadcasting Super Bowl 2015. The Super Bowl 2015 Halftime Show will be performed by Katy Perry. The constantly updated Super Bowl Ads List is constantly tracking all Super Bowl ads.