The restoration of one of Cincinnati's most cherished landmarks wouldn't have been complete without overhauling and fine-tuning the familiar neon clock on the façade, which beckoned travelers, shoppers and curiosity seekers from its perch four stories high for the past 85 years.
When visitors arrived at Union Terminal for last weekend’s reopening, the clock and completely refurbished fountain caught their eyes as soon as they pulled into the long driveway.
Perhaps none of the massive building's features was more important than the clock.
"Because this was a train station … time was critical," project manager Nick Cates said.
But even clocks are subject to the wear of time. When the terminal sat abandoned, the clock went into disrepair.
The timer needed recalibrating. The broken neon lights had to be replaced.
"We rebalanced the hands. We have new neon ... so it's just completely refreshed," Cates said.
"I think it's really just become an icon for the city."
Breanna Molloy is a reporter for Journal-News media partner WCPO.
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