About Moving Pillsbury Forward

The Pillsbury Project

Moving Pillsbury Forward, NFP (referred to as MPF) formed as a registered not-for-profit corporation in October 2020 after beginning as a community working group in November 2019 to study the Pillsbury site’s public safety and known environmental issues and develop recommendations for long-term solutions.  After a year of study and collaboration with community stakeholders and elected officials, formation of a not-for-profit presented the most viable path for achieving a workable and successful long-term redevelopment solution for the community.

MPF’s purpose is to facilitate community redevelopment to successfully eliminate and prevent blight in and around the former Pillsbury Mills site at 1525 E. Phillips Ave. in Springfield, Illinois.

Moving Pillsbury Forward (MPF) acquired the 18-acre former Pillsbury Mills site.
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Mission Statement

Provide a community centered collaborative approach to remediate and redevelop the former Pillsbury Mills site for the betterment of the surrounding neighborhood in Springfield, Illinois.

Vision

  • Remediate and clear the 18-acre site over 3-5 years to prepare it for redevelopment.
  • Community benefit is realized as site is cleared.

Problem

  • Redevelopment is not possible with the current site entanglements.
  • Existing structures are not suitable for reuse.
  • The former Pillsbury property is a significant social and environmental justice concern for the whole community.

Current situation

  • The USEPA removed their $3.2 million property lien in April 2021 at the urging of Moving Pillsbury Forward (MPF). This allowed the IEPA court case to proceed.
  • MPF completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) in early 2021.
  • Ongoing litigation with the IEPA facilitated owners’ interest in transferring the property to MPF. Transfer took place on March 22, 2022.

Strategy

  • Utilize a not-for-profit to hold deed, coordinate remediation, and clearing of the site.
  • Conduct Phase II ESA within 6 months and establish project timeline/costs.
  • Partner with the City of Springfield, Sangamon County, and various community groups to enhance site security, fundraise, and apply for state and federal grants.
  • Partner with the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance (SSGA) in redevelopment.

Pillsbury Project Overview

Pillsbury Project OverviewDownload

The Pillsbury project is a large-scale demolition and redevelopment plan for a significantly blighted, former industrial property in the Pillsbury Neighborhood of Springfield, Illinois.  The 18-acre site has been abandoned for several years, is partially demolished, and has become a significant challenge for the surrounding neighborhood and greater Springfield area. 

MPF is coordinating the acquisition, remediation, demolition, and redevelopment of the site for the benefit of the neighborhood and our city.   As the site is cleaned-up and redeveloped, five areas of community benefit have been identified: public safety, health, social justice, economic development, and environmental safety.  A community centered collaborative is the most inclusive process and effective means to generate sustainable improvement in the health, safety, and prosperity of a neighborhood and its residents. The Pillsbury project is anticipated to take five years to complete.

The board of Moving Pillsbury Forward is comprised of Tony DelGiorno, Chris Richmond and Polly Poskin. Richmond and Poskin are pictured here.
Chris Richmond and Polly Poskin

Board of Directors

President/Treasurer – Chris Richmond

Chris retired as City of Springfield Fire Marshal in 2019.  He coordinated the USEPA emergency environmental clean-up activities at the Pillsbury site on behalf of the City in 2017.  He is a lifelong resident of Springfield.  His father worked for over twenty years at Pillsbury. 

Vice-President – Polly Poskin

Polly recently retired as the Executive Director for the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.  She has an extensive background in not-for-profit organizational development.  She has a long and successful track record in community and neighborhood redevelopment.

Secretary – Tony DelGiorno

Tony is an attorney with DelGiorno Law Office.  He is a lifelong resident of Springfield and is currently serving as the elected Sangamon County Board Member for District 22.  He has a strong background in local government affairs and community development.

The Pillsbury Project

PDF with history, current status, preliminary planning, next steps

Pillsbury Project – October 2021Download