OGDEN — As the Union Station Neighborhood Concept has taken shape the last couple of years, one thing has become clear — it’s going to take time.

While much of the Union Station Neighborhood Concept sees progress happening over years or even decades, that doesn’t mean the city isn’t pursuing meaningful projects in the near-term to help elevate the century-old structure.

According to Ogden City Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Taylor Nielsen, some projects are very close to getting off the ground.

“The fountain out front, we’re looking to redo,” he said. “We have a contractor onboard. Starting this spring, that will be back in service. That will be a unique opportunity to see that.”

He said another planned update deals with one of the station’s most visible features.

“We’re looking at the letters out on the Union Station themselves,” he said. “We’re looking to go refresh those and bring those back. And we’re looking to see if we can update the lighting source. We still have to go through landmarks for approval on that, but we’re seeing if we can change it from what it is now to some new LED lights. Not that we’re trying to be overpowering, but they’re a whole lot easier to maintain and then we won’t have the random one letter going out here and there. Our longevity, we feel like, will be a whole lot better.”

Ogden Mayor Ben Nadolski noted that there have already been behind-the-scenes infrastructure efforts undertaken over the last couple of years that have addressed the building’s electrical system, roofing and ongoing issues with standing water in the basement.

“Those are the things that people don’t see, necessarily, that we’ve already done,” he said. “Progress is happening.”

Nielsen said there are also plans to improve the landscaping along the plaza where Wall Avenue and 25th Street intersect.

“What we anticipate is, you’ll be on 25th Street, you’ll see this new fountain, the lettering, everything on the front and it’ll just be inviting and you’ll want to go check it out,” he said. “There’s going to be events and other things happening there, and it’s just going to keep being more and more the place that people are going to want to be and see what’s happening.”

Nadolski said these little steps are important as the city pursues the bigger picture of development in and around Union Station.

“We’re not going to let go of big dreams and big goals,” he said. “We’re going to stay rooted in those, and while we aim for the big moonshot, we’re going to take steps toward it. We’re not going to wait decades into the future before we do anything.

He said that he’s heard all sorts of extreme assumptions about the city’s intentions for Union Station.

“People ask why government loses sight of common sense — it’s because people talk in extremes,” he said. “‘Are you going to tear down Union Station?’ Absolutely not. That’s never been discussed. It’s never going to happen. … ‘Then you’re going to turn it into a shopping mall?’ It’s like, no, it’s never been discussed. But there’s nothing wrong with coffee shops, a newspaper stand and a small deli.”

He said that the truth lies closer to the middle.

“In between that is where common sense is,” he said. “That’s why we get lost, because you hear all this discussion between these extremes. The reality is it’s far more complicated than that, and it’s rooted in good, responsible governance and good decision making.”

Nadolski said the work that is being done now around Union Station and adjacent properties is to ensure that the project is done right the first time.

“We’re trying to create a process and a future that transcends me,” he said. “Whoever the next mayor is should be able to inherit a project that is set in a good place so that they don’t have to go through a whole reset anymore. It should be aligned with the public’s desires and wishes and aligned with the market trends and forces and complementary with what we already are and want to remain and become the best version of ourselves.”