726 N 11th St. is a city owned vacant lot. The 68’ x 38’ lot was the site of a single-family home in the Pillsbury Neighborhood for decades. In 2002, delinquent property taxes for the house lot went to a tax buyer. The vacant home was demolished by the city in 2014.
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The vacant lot at 726 N 11th St. is still owned by the city of Springfield in 2021. There are more than 40 lots in the neighborhood that are currently city owned or in control of the county deed trustee. There are currently over 20 houses in the neighborhood that are with tax buyers and headed down the same road as the 726 N 11th St. lot used here as a case study.
November 7, 2021, two volunteers worked for three hours to trim overgrown brush, mow, and pick up trash from the lot. This relatively small effort along a busy street corridor improved the visual appearance of the area. Similar vacant lot projects have been accomplished by volunteers at more than 25 lot locations in the Pillsbury Neighborhood throughout 2021. The lot at 726 N 11th St. is one example of local volunteer efforts to improve the neighborhood.
Strategies for improvement of the Pillsbury Neighborhood have begun. A lot-by-lot analysis took place in early 2021. Priorities were developed. An action plan formed. Volunteers responded. In 2021, the neighborhood improved.
Moving Pillsbury Forward vacant lots and abandoned houses project has had a successful year. Our volunteers and supporters have improved the living environment and quality of life for the residents of the Pillsbury Neighborhood. We collected numerous truckloads for junk, eliminated overgrown vegetation and improved sightlines throughout the neighborhood.
In 2022 the work will continue. A Spring clean-up has already been planned. Teams of volunteers are forming. The strategic, coordinated effort will continue moving the entire neighborhood forward.
Yes…we are still working to resolve the Pillsbury Mills situation that has saddled the neighborhood with a negative influence for 20 years. It remains the root cause of decay in the neighborhood and surrounding area. The efforts to resolve the protracted Pillsbury Mills challenge are as focused as they have ever been. Both the Pillsbury Project and the Vacant Lots/Abandoned Houses Project will continue moving forward in tandem.
These projects are advancing because of our volunteers and supporters…THANK YOU!
Chris Richmond
President, Moving Pillsbury Forward, NFP
pillsburyproject.org