EDITOR’S NOTE: On April 8 the City of West Hollywood officially announced that it has signed the lease-purchase agreement referenced below for the property at 621 N. Robertson Blvd.
The City of West Hollywood now has leased the Lions Club Log Cabin at 621 N. Robertson Blvd., bringing to an end a controversy over a plan by the City of Beverly Hills to demolish the building, which has been the site of meetings of addiction recovery groups since 1948.
The Beverly Hills City Council this week approved a “lease to purchase” agreement under which the City of West Hollywood would buy the Lions Club Log Cabin property and the adjacent parking lot from Beverly Hills for $5.75 million. The West Hollywood City Council already has agreed to turn over management of the Log Cabin to the West Hollywood Recovery Center, a non-profit group that manages the recovery center in the Werle Building at 626 Robertson Blvd., directly across from the Log Cabin.
The decision officially ends the West Hollywood Lions Club’s control of the Log Cabin. Its lease of the property officially expired on July 1, 1977, but it continued to operate until this week. A recent audit by Beverly Hills of its land holdings revealed that the Lions Club had not paid its $1 a year rent for 42 years and that parts of the building needed to be upgraded.
The West Hollywood Lion’s Club had argued that it should be allowed to continue managing the building, However the Recovery Center and City Councilmember John Duran pushed to have the Recovery Center designated as the Log Cabin manager.
Gyula Kangiszer, president of the West Hollywood Lions Club, had said it was committed to upgrading the building, which it had delayed since the City of Beverly Hills issued the eviction notice on Jan. 20 while it waited for resolution of the matter..
In a post on the West Hollywood Lion’s Club’s Facebook page, Kangiszer said: “It is unbelievable that the Beverly Hills City Council approved to lease/sell the Log Cabin without a transparent public procurement process to the City of West Hollywood for $5,750,000 while the West Hollywood Lions Club offered $8,000,000.
“Even more concerning that the agreement includes additional financial incentives in case the building is redeveloped. The West Hollywood Lions Club offered to preserve the building. I’m heartbroken as the West Hollywood Lions Club owned and managed the Log Cabin for the past 83 years in the service of the community.”
What’s interesting about your comment is that you’re solely focused on appearance, which is a typical trait amongst the boomer generation. “ I don’t like what I see so I will overlook any good in order to air my own selfish grievances” This building is more about four walls and a front door. This building has helped many people in ways that you could never imagine. To solely focus on appearance is unfortunately a reality in today’s world but I can assure you that what goes on inside this building is much more important than your complaint about ashtray stations… Read more »
Holy Cow! Exactly! Thank you for articulating that so well.
Is it that difficult to throw trash in a trash can? Seriously, one has nothing to do with the other!
WH should NOT purchase this. Focus on running the city and stop wasting our tax dollars.
any sane person would agree about this money pit deal that we had no say in. if those who run the city have an extra $6 million to spend on a rotting log cabin (to say nothing of their many other real estate purchases that sit idle), we shouldn’t be hearing a WORD from them about any projected budget shortfalls going forward.
yup
The lot, alone, on that strip is worth well over $6 million. I commend the City for making this happen, and no price can be attached to the number of lives who have been saved through its use as a recovery center. The Lions Club might have offered more, but they were not maintaining the building, and have paid a meager $1 a year for over 40 years, with something like 3 of their own meetings a month. There was no guarantee that they’d manage it properly, or continue to offer the space up for recovery services. How about they… Read more »
that’s not the job of a city. we pay taxes for basic services…….which they presently do a terrible job.
I suppose it depends on your definition of basic services. Most cities do a lot more than just provide trash collection and basic maintenance for the residents that inhabit them. It’s one of the differences between living in a city and living in the middle of nowhere.
Seriously? Like seriously? Do you know where you live, and how it compares to other cities? The streets are clean, and in good shape. They provide essential services for senior citizens. Advisory boards for some of the most oppressed, including the trans community. A world-class park is in development. A free night-life shuttle, as well as one for commuters and senior citizens. I’m not saying there isn’t room for improvement (public safety, code enforcement, etc.), but we are spoiled. This City has a very high tax revenue from nightlife patrons and out-of-town visitors, and they try to give a lot… Read more »
Amen. Good call by WeHo. We are in difficult times right now, however this too shall pass. The City is thinking long term as property is getting more and more expensive and there will likely be many important future needs for property in the City. This was a wise and needed purchase.
It is a “potential” historic landmark but as of this date apparently has neither been officially nominated nor declared as such.
Some people will never understand that. I believe it is a sacred place.