30 years ago – March 30, 1990
A suspect in the deliberately set Gilpin Hotel fire has been identified and the evidence is under review by District Attorney Don Mielke’s office to determine if there is enough evidence to prosecute, said Investigator Mark Russell on Monday. Although all the evidence collected so far is circumstantial, Russell said, he hopes there is enough to file charges. Additional information would be helpful, he added, and asked that anyone who might know something about the fire report it. Informants will remain anonymous, Russell said, and can call him at the JeffCo Arson Investigation Office, the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office, Crimestoppers, or the Arson Hotline. Both Crimestoppers and the Arson Hotline offer rewards for information leading to a conviction.
Ed Zuvich is no stranger to Central City. A native of north Denver, he used to ride his “scoot” up to Central City during the 1960s. He worked in downtown Central City at the Gilded Garter, Glory Hole, and even at the Belvidere Theatre a time or two during the 1980s. For the last six years, he has lived in Grand County, where he worked as a real estate broker and developer, loan officer, and restaurateur specializing in Mexican food and pizza. Now, Zuvich is back at the Belvidere, managing the property for Jay Williams, who recently bought the long-dormant Armory Building that also houses the Shoo Fly Bar, and until recently, the Central City Story exhibit. Remodeling work has begun, and plans have been formed, although they are preliminary and may change over the next few months. The Shoo Fly and the Belvidere, both of which are in the upstairs of the theater, will not be changed much physically. The bars have been moved to provide better traffic flow, a full-service bar will be added to the Belvidere, the balcony will be remodeled, and the outdoor deck will be enlarged. The two establishments will be separated by rolling doors when needed. More dramatic changes are planned for the first floor. Efforts to obtain the Central City Story dioramas from Hank Gentsch were unsuccessful and the exhibits were sold to the National Mining Museum at Leadville. Zuvich plans to take out the partitions in the museum and install French doors and arches. He would like to see five to seven groups of artisans working to produce different pieces—blown glass, earrings, and sketches are a few ideas. Visitors to the shopping arcade could view the production process and buy the items that catch their fancy.
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