Case Study: Ogden Union Station Redevelopment –Collaborative Strategy and Community Engagement
1. Project Overview & Role
The redevelopment of the Ogden Union Station Neighborhoodis a collaboration between J. Fisher, Design Workshop, Mortenson, andcommunity stakeholders, aimed at revitalizing this historic area whilerespecting its cultural significance. As part of this collaborative effort, theteam sought to balance innovative design with strong community engagement.
From the beginning, our focus was on developing a proposalthat communicated the project’s vision clearly and inspired confidence in thecommunity. I worked alongside the team to shape the overall communicationstrategy, ensuring we presented a clear narrative that would not onlysecure the project but also foster long-term engagement. A key part of thisstrategy was creating visual content—including photos, graphics, andvideos—that effectively communicated both the technical aspects of theredevelopment and our commitment to involving the local community at everystage. This content became foundational for both the proposal and the project’songoing community outreach. Our team was ultimately selected for the project,and we have been actively engaging with the community ever since.
2. Key Strategies & Execution
Collaborative Proposal Development: Working closely with the team, I helped lead the development of a proposal that integrated visual storytelling with a strong focus on community engagement. I lead the team through the production of a series of cinematic videos that featured the historic Union Station and showcased the vision for the future. These videos, along with other supporting visuals, played a key role in demonstrating our commitment to preserving the area's heritage while modernizing the neighborhood. The proposal, backed by a well-rounded communication strategy, successfully helped the team secure the project.
Ogden Union Station Proposal
Community Engagement Through Video: To ensure the community felt engaged and heard throughout the redevelopment, the team developed a series of “Community Conversation” videos. These videos featured local stakeholders and residents discussing their concerns and hopes for the project. I spearheaded the creation of these videos, which were shown at public events and shared on social media, creating a continuous feedback loop between the developers and the community. This open dialogue fostered trust and positioned the project as a collaborative effort between the team and the neighborhood.
Ongoing Communication via Website & Social Media: As the project progressed, the team built a dedicated website (unionstation-ogden.com) to provide regular updates and resources for the public. The website served as a central hub for community engagement, with photos, video footage, and graphics produced by the team driving the site’s visual communication. This platform, along with ongoing social media campaigns, allowed the team to maintain transparency and keep residents informed about project developments.
3. Results & Impact
Securing the Project: The collaborative effort behind the proposal—combined with strategic messaging, video content, and visual materials—helped the team secure the redevelopment project. The emphasis on both technical excellence and community involvement made a strong impression on decision-makers.
Successful Community Engagement: The Community Conversation videos and ongoing communication efforts successfully opened a dialogue with local residents, helping the team address concerns and build trust. Through this continuous engagement, the community became active participants in shaping the redevelopment.
Long-Term Public Engagement: The website and social media campaigns continue to serve as vital tools in keeping the community connected and informed, ensuring transparency throughout the redevelopment process. The team’s commitment to ongoing communication has maintained public interest and involvement as the project progresses.
