Construction has almost wrapped on the first phase of a historic project that could breathe new life into one of San Luis Obispo’s oldest districts.

A nearly 100-year-old brick building is at the heart of the Railroad Square development that local store owners are counting on to bring more businesses and customers to the area. The renovation project represents an unusual intersection of seismic retrofitting, historical preservation and damage control.

In November 2002, a fire completely gutted the three-story structure. Surrounding businesses were just as devastated — not by flames, but by the resulting dropoff in business in the district.

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