Friends,
Moving Pillsbury Forward does work throughout the Pillsbury Neighborhood even though our primary focus is the demolition and redevelopment of the former Pillsbury property. We want to do our best to improve the neighborhood and the quality of life for the folks that live there. Here is a case study for how things tend to play out…over…and over again.
In May of 2021 we cleared a vacant lot at the corner of 14th St. and Phillips Ave. The legal address is 1324 Phillips Ave. (PIN#14270280011). At the time, it was a County Deed Trustee lot that had been reclaimed by the local government for non-payment of back taxes. As volunteers, we chose to mow and remove trash from this lot because we recognized that this corner lot was a bus stop for elementary school children and the sidewalk was not accessible. In working with longtime Pillsbury Neighborhood Association President John Keller, we learned that he had cleared this same lot about ten years prior for the same reason. He let us know that this lot had been vacant and problematic for many many years.
We researched this one recently utilizing the Sangamon County Tax Parcel Viewer site Parcel Viewer (sangamon.il.us) In a short time we found that a bank had repossessed the property in 1996. By 1998 the small home had been demolished. Then, an investor purchased the lot from the bank. Nothing was built, taxes were not paid, and the lot was reclaimed for back taxes for the first time. And, again it was purchased by an investor, nothing was built, taxes were not paid, and the lot was reclaimed for back taxes for the second time. Moving ahead two more cycles, a new investor purchased the lot in 2021 shortly after we (volunteers) cleaned it up. And, here we are again…only this time in the fourth cycle…and 26 years later.
Well, the new investor from 2021 is at least currently paying the $127 annual property tax bill. However, he is not caring for the property (mowing, drainage clearing, junk removal, etc.). And, the City Of Springfield has cited the owner for these issues (the are 4 shown on their website), but the process could take months. So, volunteers cleaned it up again this month so the kids at the bus stop could stand on the sidewalk rather than in the roadway. Will the cycle end…no. When the leins from citations are eventually applied to the property the latest investor will almost assuredly walk away and a fifth cycle will begin.
Yes…this is a broken system. The only light at the end of the tunnel is changing the system. Let’s get busy and make some changes! We have several good ideas for changes. We understand the complexity of the situation. The kids at the bus stop deserve better. Let’s resolve within ourselves to do better.
If this case study has motivated you to act, here is the next step: Reach out to us at MPF through our email address () and we will facilitate formation of a working group to focus on this issue. There are dozens of these vacant lots in our community with similar issues.
Thanks for being a part of this important community project.
~ Team Pillsbury