NEW DISCOVERY AT MCI CENTER?

     A Discovery Channel store is set to be the "retail anchor"
for the MCI Center's proposed opening next year, with a reported
25-30,000-square-foot interactive superstore, according to
Maryann Haggerty in the WASHINGTON POST.  Bullets/Capitals Owner
Abe Pollin has "pledged" that the arena that will be open every
day of the year, with entertainment attractions and stores "to
draw tourists," Pollin has "set aside" 50,000 square feet for
retail space in the building and has scheduled a news conference
for this morning to announce the main retail tenant (WASHINGTON
POST, 10/22).  MD-based Discovery Communications' "expected
announcement" of its superstore would "mesh" with Pollin's
promise to make the arena a "technological wonder that will
attract visitors round the clock," according to Marriott &
Woellert in the WASHINGTON TIMES.  Nike and Sony were other
possible retail tenants, but a Sony spokesperson denied
involvement in the project  (WASHINGTON TIMES, 10/22).