See that picture of the RCA Dome?

See that roof?

Gone. But you already knew that. It was deflated in September.

But see those steps below the neon “RCA Dome” sign?

During the life of the Dome, that was the grand staircase to the events that took place there. I’d venture to say that fewer steps have encountered more foot traffic over the years in downtown Indianapolis than those, save for the steps on Monument Circle.

Anyway, I drove past the Dome earlier today. And those steps – our grand staircase – were gone. Demolished.

A sign of progress, yes, as the Indiana Convention Center will expand into that space.

But I still had a twinge of sadness. That grand, grand staircase, marked by anticipation and excitement going up, and the ecstasy of victory or the agony of defeat going down.

Packed with people and emotion, in any case.