Once a centerpiece of downtown life, the Royal Theater in Guadalupe is preparing for its long-awaited revival.

City leaders say that after years of planning and funding challenges, construction is expected to begin as early as December, marking a new chapter for the 85-year-old building that’s been vacant since 2015.

“The project’s about $10 million, but there are soft costs and other architectural fees that bring it over that,” said City Administrator Todd Bodem.

The city awarded the construction contract to Pre-Con Industries of Santa Maria at just under $9.8 million. In total, the project’s cost is now estimated at $13.4 million, funded primarily through federal and state grants.

According to Project Manager Tom Brandeberry, the funding includes a grant from the U.S. Economic Develo

See Full Page