The Log Cabin at 621 N. Robertson Blvd. has a long history as a space for 12-step meetings. (Beverly Press/Park La Brea News file photo)

Renovations to the historic Log Cabin building on Robertson Boulevard, which serves as the headquarters for the West Hollywood Recovery Center, have moved into the next phase of renovation following the California State Legislature’s approval of $1.15 million to support the building’s rehabilitation.

The funds, which were included in the state’s budget, were requested by State Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) and Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur.

“Everyone has a story to tell of their experience with addiction, whether it’s their own or an experience with a loved one. I certainly do both with my family and friends,” Zbur said. “And the Log Cabin … within just a couple of months of assuming office, I got a call from [West Hollywood Councilman John] Erickson, and that was followed up by my long meetings with the mayor and every member of the council and the city staff really helping me understand the importance of obtaining more funding for the Log Cabin, and really what that would mean not only to the residents of West Hollywood, but really to the entire recovery community of the whole area … in and around West Hollywood.”

Zbur put in a request for $650,000, and Allen put in a request for $500,000. Both were approved.

“We are grateful to Senator Allen and to Assemblymember Zbur for helping the city of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Recovery Center to champion funding to support renovations for this historic space, which is vital in safeguarding recovery services in our community,” West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne said. “Countless thousands of people have been helped by 12-step meetings offered at the Log Cabin, and I’m thrilled that we can look forward to many more years ahead in an improved space for life-changing meetings and community recovery.”

“I’m very excited that we have received funding for this,” Councilman John Heilman said. “This is such an important resource for people in recovery. We are so lucky to have Assemblymember Rick Zbur and Sen. Ben Allen. They both fought to make sure the state provided funding for this project.”

The Log Cabin was, for many years, a product of both West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. The property was bought by Beverly Hills in 1928, but it sat on land that was first part of the city of Los Angeles and later West Hollywood. The log cabin was built in 1936 when the property was leased to the Lions Club, and that was later subleased to the West Hollywood Recovery Center in the 1970s. West Hollywood purchased the property in 2022.

The funds will be used to bring the Log Cabin up to code, honoring ADA and health and safety requirements to help provide a long-term facility for the recovery community and West Hollywood at large. A renewable energy hub, EV charging stations, streetscape improvements and landscaping will also be included in the property’s improvements.

“This item is deeply personal to me as I have friends and family members that have reached out over the years to discuss the importance of this site, not just historically, but also its impact on recovery services,” Mayor Pro Tempore John Erickson said. “This started prior to when I was on council when there was a threat to the Log Cabin and I worked to lobby then-Supervisor Sheila Kuehl around its importance. Since then, I have met with legislators up and down the state as well as in D.C. lobbying them to give us the much-needed funding to help restore this site, and I’m glad to see those efforts are being rewarded with these statewide funds.”

For information on the West Hollywood Recovery Center, visit thewhrc.org.(D-West Hollywood).