New Orleans - As Mardi Gras reviewing stands were being erected along Saint Charles Avenue Mayor Ray Nagin was speaking to reporters about another type of parade that is in the works. Nagin said Tuesday afternoon that a parade is being planned for the New Orleans Saints whether they win the Super Bowl or not.
"There will be some type of massive parade in the city of New Orleans win or lose," Nagin said. He said he is having discussions with Saints co-owner Rita Benson and Superdome executive Doug Thornton.
Nagin said the Saints big win against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night inside the Superdome underscored how far the community has come since Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of the city, including portions of the dome in 2005. "That venue was the shelter of last resort, it was devastated just like the city, it was rebuilt, the team struggled for the first year they played, they couldn't come back and play at home," he further stated.
Police Superintendent Warren Riley said he is planning for a parade that will attract 200,000 people. "Clearly this will be more exciting than any Mardi Gras parade ever. People are so excited, so happy, it will probably be a very easy parade to handle because so many people are excited about the Saints," Riley said.
Riley said providing security for the parade will cost about $300,000. The city did not budget for a Saints parade, but city leaders are not concerned about the extra expense. "We don't expect them to foot the bill, they clearly have boosted this economy and this city tremendously, so there's no need to even discuss that in my opinion, Riley stated.
Mayor Nagin said the playoff game and Sunday's NFC championship game each generated between $ 500,000 and $ 750,000 for the city's economy. Nagin said he plans to attend the Super Bowl if he can secure a game ticket. "I will be talking to the Mayor of Miami, the Police Chief Riley, will be calling their police chief, just so they understand New Orleanians, we're a lil different, we party hard but we're not going to hurt anybody," said Nagin.
