A method of retrofitting a pre-Northridge type steel beam-to-column connection, includes welding the web of the beam to a flange of the column and slotting the beam web in the region of the connection and near the beam flanges. Stress relief holes are made into the web of the beam and slots are cut into the web of the beam. A top backup bar is welded to the flange of the column and a bottom backup bar is removed from the flange weld to the column. The method includes back gouging the flange of the column at a position of the removed backup bar and welding a bottom flange of the beam to the flange of the column.