Those interested in doing so can vote daily online at http://www.refresheverything.com/lagondachallenge. Voting continues through the end of April.
Designed by architect Frank M. Andrews and opened in 1895 as a tony social clubhouse, the handsomely decorated structure is located at 150 E. High St. — the northwest corner of High and Spring streets.
On the National Register of Historic Places, it also is a preservation priority of the Springfield Preservation Alliance.
“The building is just beautiful,” said Kevin Rose, president of the alliance, who added that members often hear people mention it as one of their favorite old buildings in the city. “The building means something to this community.”
Pepsi funds the top two proposals at the $250,000 level each month based on online voting. An entry on the project at the site lists how the funds will be spent.
“I’m so excited; I’m like a 20-year-old,” said Wilson, 67, owner of the building since 1988.
A technical problem prevented the Wilsons’ earlier attempt to get their project in the Pepsi program. The Pepsi Refresh Web site itself had a technical problem when the Wilsons checked just after midnight April 1 to see if their application was included.
“We didn’t learn about it until 6 o’clock this morning,” Wilson said.
“I’m real optimistic,” he added. “I think we can amass a tremendous amount of votes from people who know the building and want to see something done with it.”
He called the potential of the project to save the historic building, help the community and boost the downtown “a win, win, win, win situation.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0368 or tstafford@coxohio.com.
About the Author