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Latest Pillsbury Project Update for February 2023!

Friends,

Moving Pillsbury Forward continues to advance the Pillsbury Project. We appreciate your continued support. Here is the latest update:

Moving Pillsbury Forward, NFP (MPF) formed in 2020 and began a 5-year community redevelopment plan for the 18-acre former Pillsbury Mills site in Springfield, IL

  • 2021 MPF built organizational capacity / positioned to acquire the property
  • 2022 MPF acquired the 18-acre site and initiated assessments and cleanup
  • 2023 MPF plans to begin remediation and a sequenced demolition of on-site structures
  • 2024 MPF plans to continue remediation and demolition activities
  • 2025 MPF plans to complete site preparations for redevelopment

2022 Accomplishments

  • Completed acquisition of the 18-acre property on (March 2022)
  • Completed a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (August 2022)
  • Completed site cleanup and grounds preparation for demolition (October 2022)
  • Technical Assistance granted from USEPA (October 2022)
  • Completed a USEPA Cleanup grant application for $800K (November 2022)
  • Awarded $2M in Congressionally Directed Funds (Dec. 2022)
  • Calculated volunteer on-site efforts at $158,000 for 2022

2023 Accomplishments to-date

  • Demolished Unsafe Warehouses # 4 & #5 (January 2023)
  • Deconstructed the Forklift Shed & Chlorine Shed (February 2023)
  • Received full demolition analysis from USEPA contractor (January 2023)
  • Received redevelopment analysis from USEPA contractor (February 2023)

Next steps

  • Continue demolition of smaller site structures not needing remediation
  • Continue working with government partners to pursue full project financing
  • Continue community engagement (public meetings/site tours)
  • Continue documenting site (photographs/oral histories)

Download the February 21, 2023 Update… (PDF)

Moving Pillsbury Forward has developed a roadmap for success at the former Pillsbury Mills site. We know what needs to be done (remediation and demolition), we know the costs ($9.1M), and we know the community benefits (public safety, social, environmental, health, and economic) to be realized. We are prepared to take the project to completion with the appropriate level of public funding. We secured a $2,000,000 Congressionally Directed Request from Senator Durbin in late 2022. In 2023 we will continue working with our government partners to provide the remaining funding ($7.1M).

Thank you,

Chris Richmond
President, Moving Pillsbury Forward
pillsburyproject.org

p.s. Site tours, volunteer opportunities, and oral history projects will be announced in the coming weeks. Please, stay tuned for dates and details. We recognized the value in capturing the great memories associated with the former Pillsbury Mills site.