Today, a coalition of over 100 ethnic and minority groups released the latest designs for the planned National Museum of the American People, which will “will tell the story of all of the people who became Americans, from the prehistoric period through today.” The design of the museum, which organizers hope to erect at the end of L’Enfant Promenade, focuses on views of the Maine Avenue waterfront and the Washington Channel.

Here’s the coalition’s sales pitch:

If the Museum is built at what is called the Banneker Overlook site at the end of L’Enfant Plaza, it would serve to link two central spaces in Washington, the National Mall and the Southwest Waterfront along Maine Avenue which is undergoing a major redevelopment that will include condos, shops, restaurants, a river walk and other amenities to attract visitors. … The Museum would be in a direct line of sight of the Smithsonian’s Castle Building, a short walk away down L’Enfant Plaza which is slated to be revitalized. This museum site would provide fresh views of the Potomac River and downriver scenes of Virginia and Maryland. The L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station is nearby and automobile and parking access would be readily available.

Not too shabby. At this point, however, the designs are little more than an exercise in hope. The site on which the design is centered is controlled jointly by the National Park Service, National Capital Planning Commission and U.S. Commission on Fine Arts, and a decision on what will go there hasn’t yet been made. The museum organizers — who have been working on planning the museum since 2007 — are currently seeking support from Congress to form a Presidential commission to study the museum concept. Not to mention: no one’s quite figured out how the museum’s going to be paid for yet.

Despite al the potential red tape, optimism remains steadfast. And the museum might make for a nice anchor to balance the new Arena Stage on the other end of Maine Avenue. What do you think of the designs?