News Release for Immediate Release  November 16, 2004  Washington Canal Park Public Presentation Four Leading Architects Will Present Their Designs for A New Park in Near Southeast (Washington, DC) The District has selected four firms to participate in a design competition for a new 1.8 acre park in Washington's Near Southeast Neighborhood.  The firms will present their proposed designs to the public at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, November 17 at Van Ness Elementary School Auditorium (full details below).   The four national or international firms include: Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd. from Seattle, Washington.  Recent work includes the Lurie Garden in Chicago's Millennium Park and the Seattle Civic Center Plaza. Hood Design from Oakland, California.  Relevant work includes Splash Pad Park in Oakland and the Poplar Street Roadway plan in Macon, Georgia. Sasaki Associates, Inc. from Watertown, Massachusetts.  Designs include the award-winning Charleston Waterfront Park and the White River Park in Indianapolis. Atelier Dreiseitl from Uberlingen, Germany, working with Stephen Stimson Associates of Falmouth, Massachusetts.  Their work includes the Pottsdamer Platz in Berlin and the Queens Botanical Garden in New York City.  A jury of design professionals and community leaders will evaluate the proposals the following day.  The non-profit organization Canal Park Development Association (CPDA) is coordinating the design competition on behalf of the District through a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts "New Public Works" program.  More than 35 leading designers from around the world responded to the initial request for qualifications. Washington Canal Park will be located at M and 2nd Streets, SE on a 3-block site along the route of the historic Washington Canal that once connected the Anacostia River to the U.S. Capitol and the Potomac River.  The park will be the focal point for surrounding retail, housing and office uses and a unique gathering space for the emerging Near Southeast neighborhood.  The redevelopment of the Park is part of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative. WHAT:  Public Presentation of Designs for Washington Canal Park WHERE:  Van Ness Elementary School Auditorium, 1150 5th Street, SE WHEN:  Wednesday, November 17, 2004, 5:30 pm          Note: The proposals will be on public display at the Capper Community Center (1005 5th St., SE) during regular business hours through Friday, November 19.