RED TAPE MUST BE CUT BEFORE POLLIN CAN BUILD

     Abe Pollin's downtown arena project "has a long way to go"
before any games can be played in the new building, according to
a report in this morning's WASHINGTON POST.  Although DC Mayor
Marion Barry says that the project is on the "fast track," Pollin
must win an "array of bureaucratic approvals and a mountain of
official papers must be pushed."  In the coming weeks, the DC
Council will have to take "four separate votes on arena matters."
Among the issues to be voted on: the collection of a tax from
city businesses to pay for the city's share of development costs
($20M), financing details, and approval of a binding lease for
city property at Gallery Place.  The deal also requires approval
from Congress and zoning authorities, and an "environmental
assessment" (Howard Schneider, WASHINGTON POST, 1/12).