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.
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Flags on the 4th
Friends, Each of the last three years we have placed a series of American flags along the 3 blocks in front of the former Pillsbury plant for the 4th of July. This year we have added a big addition. A 50-foot flag hanging from the huge crane at the spot where big demolition started just…
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WWII Gold Star Member
Friends, We recently learned more about one of the six Springfield Pillsbury employees that were killed in action during their time of service in World War II. The bronze plaque with the six names hung on the wall in the front lobby at Pillsbury for many years. It was removed and saved by a member…
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Fun Old Maps
Friends, We visited the Lincoln Library Sangamon Valley Collection recently to investigate the history of the railyard property next door to the Pillsbury site. We found that it was initially developed right round 1900 as a 40-acre railyard. In 1929, Pillsbury purchased the southwest half of the railyard for their flour milling and manufacturing operations.…
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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.