Warren has taken a pounding as the quintessential suburb that gave 8 Mile Road its symbolism. Remember "Borin' Warren?" Exploding from a cross roads village on Mound Round its population would double for three straight decades. It peaked at 180,000, 99.5% Euro-American.

Much has changed since. The city has lost 35,000 and is more diverse, with the Euro-American population now under 80%, making it, in my eyes at least, more interesting and more sympathetic. Its population stabilized with the 2010 census and Warren is showing signs of rebounding. So I am happy and hopeful for Warren when I read the following list of developments and jobs coming to the now struggling town. Go Warren!

General Motors Co. Technical Center renovations
Cost: $1 billion
Project: Expansion and renovation of the 326-acre campus, coupled with the creation of 2,600 jobs
Expected completion: End of 2018
Location: Van Dyke Avenue between 12 Mile and 13 Mile roads

Former Campbell Ewald building redevelopment
Cost: $35 million
Project: Renovation of 10-story building across from the GM tech center for 800 new GM jobs
Expected completion: By 2017
Location: Van Dyke north of North Civic Center Drive across from the tech center

City Square Lofts
Cost: $30 million
Project: 210-unit loft project with rents from $1,200 to $2,000 per month by Bingham Farms-based Burton-Katzman LLC
Expected completion: 2017
Location: South and east of Warren City Hall

Five-star hotel
Cost: $50 million
Project: 200-room hotel with retail space including specialty grocery store, a 1,000-person banquet center, conference room and rooftop swimming pool by Lansing-based The Boji Group
Expected completion: Not known
Location: East side of Van Dyke across from the tech center

Prestige Cadillac dealership
Cost: $10 million
Project: New dealership by Gregory Jackson, chairman, president and CEO of Jackson Automotive Management, on 4.6 acres
Expected completion: April
Location: Van Dyke and 12 Mile Road

Majestic Plaza Shopping Center redevelopment
Cost: $2 million
Project: Redevelopment of shopping center for new 40,000-square-foot Y & C Beauty Supplies store
Expected completion: 2017
Location: Van Dyke at Martin Road

Tech Plaza redevelopment
Cost: More than $10 million
Project: Redevelopment of shopping plaza with at least a dozen new stores
Expected completion: By the spring
Location: Van Dyke at 12 Mile Road

Menards
Cost: $8 million
Project: Construction of new 170,000-square-foot store
Expected completion: Sept. 21
Location: Van Dyke at 14 Mile Road

Art Van Furniture warehouse renovation
Cost: $18 million
Project: Warehouse and office remodeling
Expected completion: October
Location: 14 Mile east of Mound Road
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Source: Crain's Detroit Business