Warren City Square

The City Square Project is a two-acre urban park containing a multipurpose improvement that is a fountain in the warmer months and an ice rink in the winter. The City Square is bounded by the new city hall/library, high-density residential and commercial retail, and a childcare center.

Highlights:
Warren reported in 2005:

• A large part of the neighborhood is now under construction. We have hosted neighborhood meetings and sent flyers to keep people informed. Feedback has been near unanimously positive. Neighbors have offered a variety of comments that have strengthened the project in general. Also, some adjacent businesses ripe for redevelopment are planning together.
• We estimate that over 1 million man-hours of construction-related jobs have been or will be generated by the municipal investment in Warren's Downtown from approximately 2004 through 2006. Once we move into new municipal facilities, we will sell about five blocks of surplus city property (presently almost all surface parking and underutilized roads) for mixed-use development. This will provide additional construction jobs plus retail and office.
• Adjacent neighborhoods have seen several expansions and startups. Asset Acceptance is finishing its new headquarters in our Renaissance Zone, about 1/2 mile from neighborhood, providing about 1,000 jobs including 400 new.
• Approximately $27 million of local public investment has occurred in the neighborhood in 2004.
• Two major projects are breaking ground in 2005: Beaumont Hospital Medical Building, and upscale condos (96 urban units priced at approximately $200,000). These projects represent $20 million in private investment, which doubled with the announcement of downtown project. Both of the projects resulted from neighboring public investment.
• Many properties are listed for sale well above assessment.
• As noted above, 96 units will be built in 2005; many more will be built in the future.
• Completely new zoning ordinance and design guidelines and parking plan will be introduced soon. All apply to downtown only.
• We appreciate the honor of being named a Cool City, and we are making great efforts to generate a positive impact throughout the City.