Add Echelon to the list of Strip projects across whose future a shadow has fallen. No, the problem isn't with Boyd Gaming. They're right on track. According to this Reuters story, it's Morgans Hotel Group's participation that's not shaping up as planned:

Boyd’s Echelon, with an overall budget of $4.8 billion, is forecast to open in the third quarter of 2010, but funding has not been secured for a $950 million portion that is a joint venture with Morgans Hotel Group. “We’re working on that right now,” Boyd spokesman Rob Stillwell said on Monday. He said Boyd intends to open all of Echelon’s components at the same time, but noted there is some “flexibility” in the two hotels planned with Morgans. 

Wall Street reacted badly to Morgans' purchase of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and with so much on its plate in Vegas, it still looks like the company bit off more than it could chew. That could change, of course. I didn't think Morgans would get as far along with its Hard Rock expansion as it has. (Thanks as always to VegasTodayAndTomorrow.com for the cool imagery.)

Further down in the story, Elad CEO Miki Naftali sets an end-of-2008 target to begin site excavation for his Plaza megaresort.  Earlier this week, he'd told Haaretz the project "might have to be delayed." I'm not sure if they consult a Magic Eight Ball to make decisions at Elad or whether the answer to the question, "Is the Plaza project on schedule?" is "Yes," "No" or "Maybe" depending on the day of the week.

There's hope for civilization: CBS gave the boot to Secret Talents of the Stars after one episode. Evidently viewers preferred that those hidden talents remain so. "CBS officials say news programing is expected as a temporary replacement. Hey, CBS! You're running Dexter. So how 'bout more of the cool Showtime stuff, like The Tudors or Weeds or (my favorite) The L Word?

Let's make a deal. Nevada solons reached a budget-crisis agreement with Gov. Jim Gibbons. And why not? The guy's packing some serious heat. Of course, Gibber the Fibber may have fudged the truth on his license. In Nevada, that could be grounds for having said license revoked, but who wants to be the one to bring the bad news to the owner of a Glock, a 9 mm and sundry other firearms? Not me!

On the plus side, a well-armed and firearm-proficient Gibbons means that his security detail is superfluous, saving additional taxpayer $$$. Whoopee! And you sure can bet the Lege will be real cooperative now they know the Gibber is locked and loaded.

[Email Blogger]