Basilica Wins Vote for Rehab Funds; Fridley Ex-tavern Also in Running

The Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis gained the most votes in a competition for preservation funds, the organization Partners in Preservation announced on Facebook Thursday afternoon.

Facebook was also where voting by the public took place. Nearly 28,000 people  voted, according to Partners in Preservation.

Within 15 minutes of the announcement about the winner being posted on Facebook, 70 people had "liked" the announcement, while 14 comments expressed mostly disappointment about the winner.

The in Fridley, formerly the Banfill Tavern, was for as much as $125,000 of $1 million that Partners in Preservation intends to grant to Twin Cities historic sites for rehab work.

The center's application, also for $125,000, focused on electrical and plumbing improvements to the historic building.

The Basilica's application, however, was only for $100,000. So that leaves $900,000 to be divided among the remaining 24 sites. A committee meets Nov. 9 to decide how to dispense the remaining funds.