Moving Pillsbury Forward

The former Pillsbury Mills plant on the north east side of Springfield closed 20 years ago. The 18-acre property has significant legal entanglements and is known to be contaminated with asbestos and lead paint. The surrounding neighborhoods are among the most severely impoverished in Springfield.

Removal of existing structures and redevelopment of the site will provide the area with public safety, environmental, health, justice, and economics benefits.

Moving Pillsbury Forward (MPF) has positioned itself to coordinate redevelopment of the 18-acre site.

The Pillsbury project is large and complex but manageable. The project is reasonable and workable with the coordination provided by Moving Pillsbury Forward. It is also clearly worth the effort.

Doing nothing is the worst possible outcome. A successful outcome will require significant support from both public and private sources – and the support of the entire Springfield community. Please join us.

  • Flashback to 1972 with the Springfield Communicator

    Friends, Moving Pillsbury Forward had a 1972 issue of The Springfield Communicator donated recently. This is the employee newsletter that came out periodically at the Springfield Pillsbury Plant. This issue is filled with names of employees that either retired or had big anniversaries (25,30,35, and 40 year) in 1972. There are more than 150 employees listed. Download the…

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  • Pillsbury Historical Presentation 10/15/2024 – please join us!

    Friends, Moving Pillsbury Forward hosted a series called “Tuesdays at the Dock” last year in August and September. We invited former Pillsbury employees and families to come and share their stories with us. The response was great. We learned a lot about the site and what made it such a great place to work. We…

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  • Story of 1324 Phillips Ave Vacant Lot

    Friends, Moving Pillsbury Forward does work throughout the Pillsbury Neighborhood even though our primary focus is the demolition and redevelopment of the former Pillsbury property. We want to do our best to improve the neighborhood and the quality of life for the folks that live there. Here is a case study for how things tend to…

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Read more about the Pillsbury Mills site…

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“Pillsbury: Past, Present, and Future”

Chris Richmond, retired Fire Marshall in Springfield, IL and creator of the group Moving Pillsbury Forward, gives a PechaKucha presentation on “Pillsbury: Past, Present, and Future” as part of Springfield Inner City Older Neighborhoods’ (ICON) Annual Party Fundraiser 2019.