WaterMarkers

Community-Selected Water Drop Alert Lettered Landmarks

WaterMarkers feature an illuminated blue letter chosen by the community. They provide free WiFi to connect to digital content and pulse before a heavy rain.

As funds allow, we work with community leaders to build and install their very own WaterMarker. Topped by a giant illuminated blue letter of their choice, this 30-foot pole is a solar-powered landmark offering free public WiFi that shares our Voices and community content.

Key Features:

  1. The cellular antenna provides free public WiFi.

  2. The 30-foot-tall pole creates a landmark rally point.

  3. A QR code links to Voices sharing water stories.

  4. The illuminated letter pulses during MMSD Water Drop Alerts.

  5. 35 vertical solar panels power an off-grid system.

  6. An engraved plaque shows the letter’s key words.

The WaterMarker is connected to other initiative phases. Walks & Workshops raise topics that inform community letter selection. It may be sited near Artist Projects. Voices Interviews are shared through Digital Content. As a network of hyperlocal landmarks, it shows how we are connected across Milwaukee.

We can compare WaterMarkers to “fruiting bodies” manifesting evidence of the vital “mycelial network” of relationships throughout the city.