Friends,
Update Wednesday, September 17:
The big crane and wrecking ball are ready to go! The smokestack comes down at 10:00am tomorrow (9/18/25).
Everyone is welcome to come and be a part of the celebration. MPF has established a great viewing area near the main Pillsbury gate. There is plenty of parking in the former employee parking lots at the corner of 15th Street and Phillips Ave.
MPF volunteers will be on site by 7am to welcome visitors. We look forward to seeing many friends throughout the day and hearing their Pillsbury stories.
Thanks for being a part of this important community project.
Update Monday, September 15:
The big crane is coming together a bit slower than originally planned. After talking to the work crew this afternoon, we are now anticipating Thursday morning before the smokestack demolition begins.
The tracks were attached to the big crane today along with the 56,000lb. counterweight. Attaching the beam sections and cables will take the entire day tomorrow and into Wednesday. Then the 5300lb. wrecking ball will be attached and we will be ready for action!
We will continue to keep everyone informed of the progress. We appreciate your patience.
The viewing area is ready and will be available all week. The former employees that stopped by today had great stories. It was the first time we had heard of poker games being played in the locker room back in the day. “I will call your two slabs of brownies and raise you a full sheet cake.” Too much fun!
Another large crane was delivered to the site late Friday. This one is an American 9299 model. A team of workers will begin assembling it on Monday. The boom on this one appears to be about 200 feet in length. Enough to reach our tallest buildings at the site.
Demolition of the 160-foot-tall smokestack is anticipated to happen on Tuesday or Wednesday to get things started. The 5-story Grocery Mix building demolition is next up after the smokestack.
Visitors are welcome to stop by to view the demolition. MPF will have a viewing area for the smokestack and Grocery Building demolition established in the Pillsbury front yard area beginning Tuesday morning. A shaded area with seating and ice water will be provided. Visitors are welcome to bring chairs as well.
There is plenty of off-street parking available in our lots at 15th St. and Phillips Ave. These are the former employee parking lots. With safety in mind, we ask that onlookers stay clear of the main gate entrance at 16th Street so that workers and equipment can access the site with minimal traffic.
We hope to see many of our friends this week as we celebrate the bittersweet end of the Pillsbury era in Springfield.
Thanks for being a part of this important community project.
~ Team Pillsbury