UPDATED 5:31 P.M.
Moving Pillsbury Forward now says demolition is not expected to begun until Thursday, due to delays assembling the crans.
Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A crane is being put together that will be used to demolish the former Pillsbury plant. Demolition is scheduled to start this week, either Tuesday or Wednesday. Chris Richmond of Moving Pillsbury Forward has been looking forward to this day for a long time and talks with Will Stevenson on the WTAX Morning Newswatch.
Demolition of the 160-foot-tall smokestack will kick things off. The 5-story Grocery Mix building’s demolition will be next.
As for the remaining asbestos, Richmond states, “we’ve still got a crew onsite that’s working on that silver paint that’s been on the silos and head house. It had about a 5% asbestos content. So, there’s about 20% of that work that remains to be done. We will slowly see that disappear over the course of the next 3 or 4 weeks”.
Richmond also states that those buildings with asbestos will be last to go and should come down in a few months.
Visitors are welcome to stop by to view the demolition. There will be a viewing area for the smokestack and Grocery Building demolition 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.
Richmond also shares that many will be sharing stories about the Pillsbury Plant as everyone watches it go down.
Off-street parking will be available in the lots at 15th St. and Phillips Ave. These are the former employee parking lots. With safety in mind, onlookers are asked to stay clear of the main gate entrance at 16th Street so that workers and equipment can access the site with minimal traffic.
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