Students can hear the construction rumbling as they approach the corner of Annie Glidden Road and Lincoln Highway. Buildings have been erected and there are more on the way.

Panda Express will open next to Chipotle and Starbucks. The three stores will open near Copy Service, 1005 West Lincoln Highway.

“The project was hoping to be completed by the beginning of school but it is looking more like October or November,” said Jennifer Dietrich, DeKalb special projects coordinator. The site was difficult to use because of driveway issues caused by its close proximity to the intersection.

One more business will occupy the building but it will be more service oriented, maybe a dry cleaner or a nail salon, Dietrich said.

Also coming soon is a dual KFC/Long John Silver’s, which will occupy the lot between Lukulos, 1101 West Lincoln Highway, and Dollar Video, 1127 W Lincoln Highway.

The site is in the early stages of construction.

Even further into the future and south on Annie Glidden Road, an emerging transition is in process.

A Schnucks grocery store is planned to move in at Annie Glidden Road and Taylor Street, said Paul Rasmussen, Economic Development Director.

“It will be a really nice store and good competition for Jewel,” he said.

This is the first time a grocery story has been planned for the southwest side of town.

“Also accompanying Schnucks will be other in-line stores, one sit-down restaurant and possibly two fast food places,” Rasmussen said.

Recent residential development in the surrounding areas has created a market for commercial developments at the often traveled corner of Annie Glidden Road and Taylor Street.

On the No. 7 Huskie Bus route, the future Schnucks would become the closest grocer to NIU and its massive collective purchasing power.

More details and definite plans for Schnucks will come after the DeKalb Plan Commission meets in May, Dietrich said.