SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — An initiative to redevelop the former Pillsbury Mills site in Springfield has announced a timeline for the demolition of all the structures on site.

According to Team Pillsbury, all the buildings on the site will be demolished within the next 12 months. The Moving Pillsbury Forward initiative announced that they have signed contracts for full cleanup and demolition of the structures.

Select Demo Services will start mobilization to the site next week to begin cleanup and removal of the remaining asbestos in this area. Additionally, lead paint chip removal will take place, and these activities are projected to start in April and be completed in early September.

This aspect of the overall project has been made possible through USEPA Cleanup Grants. These grants have allowed Team Pillsbury to develop a project design that decreases overall project costs and recycles over 70,000 tons of concrete from the 160 silos located on site.

Additionally, Moving Pillsbury Forward is working with GreenTrac on building demolitions and site rehabilitation in the upcoming months. The initiative anticipates that GreenTrac will mobilize equipment to the site in late April and complete site work in March 2026.

Local projects this Illinois-based company has been involved with include the State Capitol Complex improvements, demolition of the 11th St. former Salvation Army building and demolition of the former IEPA building at 10th St. & N Grand Ave.

The firm responsible for the overall site coordination and management services for this project is Fehr Graham Engineering & Environmental. These services include water, soil and air sampling throughout the duration of the project.

“We (MPF) have listened to the concerns of the community and have developed a rigorous perimeter and site safety monitoring protocol,” Team Pillsbury said.

The initiative has also set up a designated demolition viewing area along 15th St. at the former Pillsbury employee parking lot east of 15th St. between Enterprise St. and Division St. Additionally, Moving Pillsbury Forward volunteers have a field office set up in a 40-foot shipping container. Seating, shade canopies and bottled water will be available most weekdays.

This initiative has begun planning for a public meeting to engage questions from the community about the overall Pillsbury Project. They also said they anticipate an announcement within the next few days about a time, date and location for this meeting.

“We hope to make this an inviting community gathering place and honor the rich history of the site while also looking forward to renewal for the community,” Team Pillsbury said.