Quote of the Day

This morning I'm going through my bookmarks and picking out discussion items for this weekend's RT sports panel. One thing, I hope to touch on is Tom Benson's recent agreement with the state aimed at keeping the Saints in the Dome. As part of the deal Benson agreed to purchase and develop the Dominion Tower and former New Orleans Centre. But this sale has been delayed presumably by complications involving the renovation of the adjoining Hyatt hotel. Anyway, the Q.O.D. comes from this City Biz commentary on August 10.

Once it is finalized, Lauscha said construction will begin to convert the former New Orleans Centre into an entertainment venue that should be ready for the 2010 season.

“Don’t be surprised to see scaffolding around there immediately. You’ll see cranes,” he said, sheepishly grinning with the instant realization that he had accidentally echoed former city recovery director Ed Blakely’s infamous prediction.

Can we just go ahead and make the crane our new state bird? Maybe that's what we should have named Benson's team.