DIXON – As anticipation continues for large developments coming to the Interstate 88 corridor, the north side of town is also seeing business growth.

“While our team is excited about the I-88 corridor expansion, we have kept a priority on the downtown business district, the northern business district, and the Depot Ave business district,” City Manager Danny Langloss said. “The purchase of the former Shopko facility by R.L.P. Development Co. is a huge win for our northern business district.”

Property records show Edwardsville developer R.L.P. Development Co. Inc. bought the vacant Shopko building at 1350 N. Galena Ave. for $525,000 earlier this month, Sauk Valley Media reported Tuesday.

It’s the parent company of R.P. Lumber Co., which has a store at 2158 state Route 26, about midway between Dixon and Polo, as well as the parent company to Home & Harvest.

Plans for the site are not yet known, and Langloss said the city plans to communicate with R.L.P soon.

Shopko closed in June 2019 after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy that January.

Last month, Moore Tires expanded its footprint to Dixon and opened up a new location in the long-vacant Plaza Cinemas.

After breaking ground a year ago, they tore down the partitions of the four old theaters, leveled the floors and did extensive remodeling to the space.

There are 12 bays, of which two are double bays, and the business offers the same services as the Rock Falls location, including tires, oil changes, and brake and suspension work.

The former Plaza Cinemas movie theater closed in June 2010 after a summer rainstorm caused the roof to collapse at 1315 N. Galena Ave.

Earlier this year, the city’s economic development team met with the developer and owner of the Dixon Plaza, Ralph Edgar, to discuss enhancing and expanding the plaza.

“Dixon’s dev team has put a focus on the northern shopping district, so we are absolutely excited to see new businesses moving into the district,” Mayor Li Arellano Jr. said. “This new growth is producing even more momentum, and the city is certainly prepared to reinvest into necessary infrastructure and city services. Building on success is always our goal.”

There’s also preliminary plans for new housing where Hvarre Development is looking to build 16 single-family homes at the former Washington Park athletic fields.