So we knew it was coming, but now it’s finally a reality. The MCI Center is no more — say hello to the Verizon Center.

Our friends at Gallery Place Living stopped by yesterday to see that the change has now been made official, with the signage on the arena finally having been changed to reflect its new corporate sponsor. Of course, the Chinese lettering doesn’t seem to have changed as of yet, so bilingual District residents may be somewhat confused.

We’re curious how long it will take for the name change to stick. After all, there are still people out there that faithfully refer to Reagan Airport as National or DCA, be the decision political or practical. Will the MCI Center ever really become the Verizon Center in District-speak, or should we expect a few years of awkward ads listing the venue as “Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center)”?

Let’s hope this is the last of the corporate takeovers.