CENTRAL CITY - On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Central City reached an important milestone in the restoration of its historic Belvidere Theatre.
Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and city leaders gathered to celebrate the progress of this major cleanup and redevelopment project aimed at bringing new life to one of Colorado’s oldest buildings.
The Belvidere Theatre and the Shoofly buildings have been at the center of community activity since Central City’s early days. Though originally built as two independent structures, they have become inextricably linked throughout history and are physically connected inside.
The Shoofly, initially constructed as a saloon and dance hall, and the Belvidere, added later, have together served the town in various capacities over the years.
The Shoofly was one of the few buildings to survive the fire of 1874, with scorched bricks on its facade purposely preserved as a reminder of the past.
Eric Chinn, Events Chairman of the Belvidere Foundation, noted that the goal of the restoration is to make the Belvidere a gathering place once again, where weddings, holiday parties, and community events can be held.
The restoration hasn’t been easy, with asbestos abatement alone costing over $200,000, but progress is being made. To date, $3 million has been raised toward the $9 million that will ultimately be needed to restore the historic Belvidere to its former glory.
Peter Droege, president of the Belvidere Foundation and a Central City native, fondly recalled watching movies in the theater as a kid. “One of our board members was the projectionist in the 1970s,” Droege recalled. “He remembered smelling smoke in the theater once and calling the fire chief, but they couldn’t find the fire.”
It wasn’t a ghostly reminder of the building’s history. Once Palace Construction began the asbestos removal and took down the lowered ceiling, the fire damage was discovered. That fire had burned above the lowered ceiling and went out on its own, Droege explained.
Despite the unexpected discovery, the team is committed to preserving the building’s historical integrity. Droege indicated that they will be recreating the original hand railings, using materials that match the theater’s period, ensuring that the restoration is both authentic and respectful of its history.
The Belvidere’s location, built into the bedrock of the mountain, has presented challenges as well. Water leakage has been a persistent issue due to the building’s unique construction.
Brady Wilson, Project Manager for Palace Construction, said they used smoke canisters along the walls to trace the sources of water penetration.
KC Becker, the EPA’s Regional Administrator, praised the various groups for collaborating in the restoration.
“The funding from the EPA is just one piece of the puzzle, and it’s amazing how many different groups and partners have stepped up to help this structure,” Becker said.
She also announced that the EPA has recently made $230 million available for additional brownfield projects, which Droege said was “music to his ears.”
Phase 1 of the restoration, focused on converting the Shoofly into tenant space and possibly a restaurant, is moving forward with a budget of $4.5 million.
Droege noted that Phase 2 will focus on the theater itself and the space below, but they may need to pause work at some point to raise more funds.
Ensuring that the Belvidere is economically sustainable remains a top priority. There are even discussions about making it a Welcome Center for Central City.
During the tour of the building, visitors had to wear hard hats and reflective vests, as work is still ongoing.
Betty Mahaffey, Treasurer of the Belvidere Foundation, emphasized the importance of private donations. While grants are essential, leveraging those funds with private donations is critical to keeping the project moving forward, she pointed out.
Mahaffey also mentioned that there has been strong community interest in bringing movies back to the Belvidere once the restoration is complete. This would be a strong nod to the theater’s past, as it had, as Droege remembered, once served as the town’s movie house.
With plans to use historically accurate materials and to recreate original details like the hand railings, the theater is set to become a unique blend of its rich history and future possibilities.
The Belvidere Theatre is more than just a building – it’s a symbol of Central City’s past and a beacon for its future. The restoration project relies on continued support from the community and generous donors who want to see this iconic space come back to life.
If you’d like to be part of this historic restoration and help the Belvidere Theatre thrive once again, consider making a donation to the Belvidere’s Capital Campaign through GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/ee1c1341. For more information as to how you can support the project, visit https://www.visitcentralcity.com/belviderefoundation.
