It's all contrived numbers, you don't gain access to new areas or anything like that beyond the stations initial reveal.
Aww that sucks, that's exactly what I love about building my ugly shanty towns in Fallout or upgrading vendors in Diablo 3. I totally assumed it was more like seeing your pirate hideout grow in Ass Creed: Black Flag. :\
At least I won't be disappointed in 6 months when I play Andromeda lol