$1.15 Million allocated for restoration of West Hollywood Log Cabin

WEST HOLLYWOOD - Recently published State Budget Bill SB 102/AB 102: Budget Act of 2023 (2023-24 “Budget Bill Jr.”) shows $1.15 Million will be allocated to restore the West Hollywood Log Cabin once the bill is adopted by the State.

California State Assembly Member Rick Zbur and Senator Ben Allen put the allocation for the Log Cabin in their State Budget (Zbur for $650K and Allen for $500K). If passed the dedicated funds will help with badly needed renovations for the Log Cabin.

The City of West Hollywood, and West Hollywood Recovery Center Board of Directors (WHRC) joined forces to lobby the City’s federal and state representatives to secure funding for this project earlier this year.

West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne, Mayor Pro-Tem John Erickson, council member Chelsea Byears and the WHRC have met with California State Assembly Member Rick Zbur, Senator Ben Allen, and Congressman Adam Schiff earlier this year to push for these funds.

“I’m so grateful to our leaders in Sacramento, as well as all of the leaders here in West Hollywood and in the West Hollywood sober community and recovery communities that have worked with us to ensure that this is not only a priority for us, but a priority for the State,” Mayor Pro Tem John Erickson told WEHO TIMES. “This is the reason why we purchased the Log Cabin, to make sure it’s there for years to come for anyone and everyone that needs it.”

The City of West Hollywood is also working collaboratively with the WHRC on the architectural plans to rehabilitate the historic Log Cabin and add two additional rooms for 12 step fellowship meetings. These additional rooms will allow WHRC to operate in a single facility, instead of both the Log Cabin and Werle Building located across the street.

The Log Cabin (which was built in 1936 as part of the Boy Scouts of America organization) was previously owned by the City of Beverly Hills’ water agency. Over the years, the building was neglected, and much needed maintenance was deferred by the previous owner.

In 2022, the City of West Hollywood, after a long negotiation with the City of Beverly Hills, purchased the building and renewed its commitment to the recovery community and the residents of West Hollywood to maintain meeting spaces and make the building safe and accessible.

In order to be fully compliant with today’s building codes/ADA requirements and to meet the current demands for meeting spaces, the facility will need to undergo several millions of dollars in renovation to comply with federal construction standards related to accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the California Building Code.

In addition, as the building is eligible for designation as an historic landmark, all rehabilitation work will adhere to the standards set by the U.S. Department of Interior. As part of the rehabilitation process, and in addition to the two new meeting rooms mentioned above, the City is considering expanding the existing building to include ADA compliant bathrooms, limited space for food preparation, and administrative and storage space.

“The Log Cabinis an iconic historical meeting place where tens of thousands of people have found recovery,” reads a statement from the WHRC. “The Board of Directors of the West Hollywood Recovery Center have been working closely with West Hollywood City officials, Mayor Sepi Shyne, Mayor Pro Tempore John Erickson, Councilmember Chelsea Byers and the architects, to ensure that the Log Cabin renovations provide large enough meeting rooms and storage accommodations that will allow us to continue to serve the recovery community. We have been there through the entire planning process and have the City’s assurances that we will be a part of the final approval process.”

According to the statement, the WHRC will be working with the City to find meeting spaces to accommodate Log Cabin meetings while the renovations are taking place. The City and WHRC will continue to work collaboratively, and new information will be provided as it arises.

The preceding article was previously published by WeHo Times and is republished with permission.

By PAULO MURILLO