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When one of the largest companies in the world decides to invest $1 billion in your city, there are bound to be a few ripple effects.
Some of those ripple effects: More than 200 high-end loft apartments around City Hall, a new Prestige Cadillac dealership and possibly a new five-star hotel across the street from General Motors Co.'s Warren Technical Center -- all evidence that the automaker's planned spending barrage at the tech center is a catalyst to a range of investment in Warren's city square area.
City officials estimate about $300 million in new development is planned in the Downtown Development Authority district alone, which is anchored around the tech center on Van Dyke Avenue north of 12 Mile Road.
This Wednesday, President Obama is schedule to speak in Warren, nearby at Macomb Community College, on the importance of investing in skills and growing the economy. Warren's economy, meanwhile, is receiving an economic infusion from GM investment effect.
Retail prospects
Add to the mix for Warren a possible specialty grocery store like Whole Foods Inc. or Trader Joe's in the hotel's retail space, and you have the makings of what Mayor Jim Fouts called a community that...