Birmingham Buys Community House, Actor Tim Allen Chips In
(City of Birmingham, July 8, 2026)
BIRMINGHAM, MI, July 7, 2026 — On Monday, July 6, 2026, the City of Birmingham finalized the $5.2 million purchase of the Community House building and property at 380 S. Bates Street, including an endowment worth approximately $800,000 and two Marshall Fredericks sculptures. The city bought the property on behalf of the City of Birmingham Community House Foundation (CHF), a charitable organization established to own and operate the new Birmingham Community House. The City of Birmingham is the sole member of the CHF, ensuring the building will always belong to the city and its residents for the sole purpose of preserving the Birmingham Community House as a community center for all residents, honoring the founders’ intent, and protecting public access to civic, social and philanthropic programming.
“This extraordinary purchase marks the end of one era, and the beginning of another. For more than 100 years, residents of Birmingham considered the house their home, and this purchase assures that it will remain so,” said Birmingham Mayor and CHF board member Clinton Baller. “The CHF will manage the Birmingham Community House in accordance with its mission. We expect to retain a daycare, continue to host events such as weddings and meetings, and rebuild the programming that endeared and bound our community. The board will operate under the Michigan Open Meetings Act, ensuring an appropriate and unprecedented level of transparency.”
The CHF has been formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and is seeking its tax-exempt status. The CHF board, appointed June 22, 2026 by the Birmingham City Commission, consists of two City of Birmingham commissioners, two ex-officio non-voting members and seven at-large members. Those members are:
• Clinton Baller, City of Birmingham mayor
• Therese Longe, City of Birmingham mayor pro-tem
• Robert Bowen, former CFO of the Detroit Institute of Arts
• Embekka Roberson, superintendent of Birmingham Public Schools
• Eva Kirkman, assistant vice-president at CCS Fundraising, a national consultant to nonprofits
• Anthony Long, attorney and former Birmingham City Commissioner
• Sam Surnow, developer and board member of the Birmingham Shopping District
• Kevin Denha, entrepreneur and executive vice chairman of the Chaldean Community Foundation
• Linda Solomon, photojournalist and author
• Ex-officio members are City Manager Jana Ecker and City Attorney Mary Kucharek
The city’s purchase is the latest development in closely watched circumstances that began last fall when the previous Community House owners announced they were converting into a foundation and selling the building. The century-old institution faced financial difficulties that led to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March of this year.
“The CHF’s work of rebuilding has already begun. The foundation board will soon adopt bylaws, appoint officers, form committees and begin fundraising. Joining the effort is Birmingham native and actor, Tim Allen. Best known for playing Tim “The Toolman” Taylor on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement, Allen says he and his family recognize the value of the house and support the city’s effort to revitalize it. Allen has offered to match dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000 in donations before the end of this year,” said Baller. “We need the community’s help and participation. That means time in the form of committee work, and money in the form of donations. We are rolling up our sleeves, and we hope the community recognizes the extraordinary commitment the city’s purchase signifies. Please join in supporting the new Birmingham Community House.”
Beginning Friday, July 10, 2026, donations will be accepted by mail to City of Birmingham Community House Foundation, 151 Martin St., Birmingham, MI 48009 Attn: Mark Clemence. Please make checks payable to the City of Birmingham Community House Foundation.
Learn more about the City of Birmingham Community House Foundation and view meeting materials at bhamgov.org/
About Birmingham
Birmingham, Mich. is a walkable community of more than 21,000 residents in southeast Oakland County, approximately 20 miles north of downtown Detroit. It has a vibrant retail and restaurant district in a historic downtown dating back to the 1830s, charming neighborhoods, more than 230 acres of parks, two nine-hole golf courses, an ice sports arena and highly rated schools. Learn more at bhamgov.org.
