THE HOUSE THAT WEBBER BUILT: WILL DC ARENA GET NIKETOWN?

     When Bullets/Capitals Owner Abe Pollin opens his new MCI
Center in downtown Washington in '97, the new arena will include
around 50,000 square feet of retail space.  Noting rumors that a
Niketown store would go in the facility,  Maryann Haggerty of the
WASHINGTON POST reports, while Pollin has been "close-mouthed"
about plans for the retail space, he has promised it will be
sports-oriented and "nifty enough" to attract tourists.  Niketown
Chicago features interactive media and audio-video displays along
with retail merchandise; last year it ranked as one of the city's
most popular tourist attractions with 1.5 million visitors.
Niketown spokesperson Kevin Kutcher would not confirm any
discussions with Pollin.  Kutcher:  "All I can say about
Washington is that it's a market we have looked at and are not
finished looking at" (WASHINGTON POST, 11/18).
     MORE DC RETAIL NEWS:  Indianapolis-based Galyans Trading Co.
plans to open between three and six 100,000 square-foot stores in
the DC-area over the next two years.   Galyans sells sports
equipment and apparel in stores that feature batting cages,
basketball courts and climbing walls (WASHINGTON BUSINESS
JOURNAL, 11/17-23 issue).