Pillsbury Project Progress: Silver Coating Gone, Smiley Face...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The dismantling of the former Pillsbury plant in Springfield is steadily advancing.

In a recent update on Tuesday, Team Pillsbury announced significant developments at the site. By Wednesday, the last remnants of the silver coating on the Headhouse were stripped away. Anticipated changes by next week include the removal of the iconic smiley face from the 180-foot-tall Turbo Building, followed by the plant’s demolition with the aid of a crane.

Pillsbury Project Progress: Silver Coating Gone, Smiley Face Transformation on the Horizon — Courtesy: Pillsbury Project

Team Pillsbury assured that the environmental cleanup of the site is slated to conclude within the coming week. The removal of asbestos began in March 2025, and after eight months of dedicated work, the site is nearing completion.

The asbestos in the manufacturing and warehouse structures was eradicated by July. Since March, efforts have focused on removing the silver coating, which contains roughly 5% asbestos, from the silos and Headhouse.

On Wednesday, workers were scheduled to finalize the removal of the silver coating from the Headhouse’s southern wall. A total of approximately 290,000 square feet of silver coating has been meticulously extracted, captured, and safely disposed of in compliance with regulations. Throughout the process, air quality has been monitored through air sampling and clearance testing.

Team Pillsbury said the 10-story Turbo Building with the south facing smiley face was also expected to be removed Wednesday morning. But, officials told WCIA that it had been delayed.

Earlier this year, the 160-foot smokestack came down in mid-September, followed by the 96,000-square foot five-story Grocery Building and the 24,000-square foot nine-story Bulk Storage Building. For more information on Move Pillsbury Forward, click here.

3 Charged in AI Scheme Impersonating CEOs and Lawyers to Steal $129 Million

NEW YORK – Three people accused of using artificial intelligence to impersonate…

Internewscast
November 6, 2026

Production of Tesla's Cybertruck will wind down soon with allure escaping most potential buyers

Local news

Tesla Cybertruck Production Set to Wind Down as Demand Falls Short

Tesla will scale back production of its stainless-steel Cybertruck next year, bringing…

Internewscast
November 6, 2026

New limits on federal student loans are steering many borrowers toward private lenders

Local news

New Federal Student Loan Limits Push Borrowers to Private Lenders

NEW YORK – When Chloe Frabotta began training in New York City…

Internewscast
November 6, 2026

Seeds, preserved hair in tomb point to oldest signs of cannabis high 2,800 years ago, study suggests

Local news

2,800-Year-Old Tomb Offers Earliest Evidence of Cannabis High

GENEVA – Cannabis may have been used to produce a high much…

Internewscast
November 5, 2026

Pillsbury Project Progress: Silver Coating Gone, Smiley Face Transformation on the Horizon

Up next

Author

Internewscast

Share article

3 Charged in AI Scheme Impersonating CEOs and Lawyers to Steal $129 Million

Tesla Cybertruck Production Set to Wind Down as Demand Falls Short

New Federal Student Loan Limits Push Borrowers to Private Lenders

2,800-Year-Old Tomb Offers Earliest Evidence of Cannabis High

Michael J. Fox Honors Good Morning America Legends George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts

Jay Rockefeller, Former U.S. Senator and Dynasty Heir, Dies at 89

National Lottery’s Flying Reindeer Joins Christmas Ad Battle

NYC Subway Rider Berates ‘American Idol’ Contestant in Viral Confrontation

Pillsbury Project Progress: Silver Coating Gone, Smiley Face Transformation on the Horizon

Up next

Author

Internewscast

Share article

You May Also Like