The 2026 Dixon State of the City address was released on Oct. 29. Photo courtesy of the City of Dixon

DIXON, CA (MPG) – Dixon city leaders touted infrastructure improvements, process enhancements and community outreach in the 2026 State of the City address, released on Oct. 29.

Highlights included completing planning for the Parkway Boulevard Overcrossing project, awarding a contract for a new fire station, adding a fully digitalized business license-renewal system and releasing the Dixon Grown website, designed to help residents better understand development in the city.

“When we talk about the state of Dixon, we’re really talking about the roads we travel, the neighborhoods we call home, the businesses that invest here, the first responders who answer the call and the city employees who keep our community moving,” Mayor Steve Bird said.

The 2026 State of the City address was a virtual effort and included brief presentations from more than a dozen city officials, ranging from the mayor and community development director to the police and fire chiefs.

Mayor Steve Bird speaks to residents in the virtual State of the City address. Photo courtesy of the City of Dixon

Dixon saw several important endeavors make significant progress over the past year, including the $25.2 million Parkway Boulevard Overcrossing project, which has been in the planning stage for several years. 

Plans and specifications are 100 percent complete, said Leland Markusen, Dixon’s construction project manager.

“We expect the federal government to officially approve and provide the funding by the end of this year, with construction on track to begin in 2027,” he said.

Other key infrastructure efforts during the year include work on Dixon’s police station and second fire station.

The city began renovation and expansion work on its police station, with construction at the 201 West A St. location expected to be completed next summer, and it awarded a contract for its second fire station, an $8 million structure to be located at 653 Pitt School Rd., with construction expected to begin by year-end.

Officials also praised the city permitting process, which they described as faster and easier to access through online channels. In 2025-26, the city received 36 planning applications, conducted more than 8,500 inspections and finalized more than 1,500 permits.

A screenshot from State of the City shows the site for Dixon’s second fire station, an $8 million structure, to be located at 653 Pitt School Rd., with construction expected to begin by year-end. Photo courtesy of the City of Dixon

“That activity represents homes being improved, businesses growing and new projects moving forward in Dixon,” said Sam Correll, a management analyst with the city.

During the year, the city launched its Dixon Grown webpage, a community outreach effort designed to help residents understand how Dixon is considering future potential growth. During the year, the city held community meetings and other events in addition to sharing information and resources about development on its webpage. Among goals is giving residents a voice in the planning process. 

“Our goal is to make it easier for residents and businesses to invest in Dixon while ensuring the growth is well planned and supported,” said Raffi Boyolan, Dixon’s director of community development.

Other efforts during the year included completion of the West A Street widening project, which expanded the roadway to four lanes, and the beginning of the West A Street Corridor study, which will create a roadmap for future improvements. 

Also highlighted was Dixon’s Readi Ride program, the city’s public dial-a-ride transit system, which provided approximately 7,800 door-to-door rides within Dixon during the year, and continued maintenance of roads, sidewalks and streetscapes.

Behind-the-scenes improvements included the streamlining of the city’s internal processes and expansion of its online services for residents and businesses.

“One example was this year’s business license renewal season, when all communications and renewals were handled digitally for the first time,” said Kate Zawadzki, Dixon’s assistant city manager. “That means a faster, easier and more convenient process for our local business community.”