Community House sale to Birmingham finalized

The City of Birmingham on Monday, July 6, closed on the $5.2 million purchase of The Community House building and property at 380 S. Bates Street in the downtown area, putting to rest a nearly nine-month issue surrounding the iconic community center that was announced for sale last November.

Initially the closing on the sale was supposed to happen by the end of June but creditors to The Community House Association, which has been in bankruptcy court, agreed to an extension.

Officials for The Community House Association on November 3 of last year announced plans to evolve into the Birmingham Area Community Foundation to carry on the original mission of the community group, and the closure and sale of its building in the city effective July 1 of 2026. Proceeds from sale of the building were destined to pay off debts for the association and provide seed money for the new foundation which was to provide grants and mentoring to nonprofits within a 10-mile radius of Birmingham.

The city sued in Oakland County Circuit Court to stop the sale which eventually lead to the withdrawal of the United Jewish Federation of Detroit offer this year to buy the facility for above its $7.2 million appraised value and The Community House Association this March ended up filing in federal bankruptcy court which ultimately approved the sale to the city.

The city purchase included the building and property, and two Marshall Fredericks sculptures and unlocked an endowment worth approximately $800,000 from a regional fund.

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, according to city officials.

“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 by the Birmingham City Commission, consists of two Birmingham City Commissioners, two ex-officio non-voting members and seven at-large members.

“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 this Friday, July 10, donations will be accepted by mail to City of Birmingham Community House Foundation, 151 Martin St., Birmingham, MI 48009 Attn: Mark Clemence. Checks should be made payable to the City of Birmingham Community House Foundation.

Meanwhile the City of Birmingham Community House Foundation has held several meetings and has named officers of the foundation. Elected were Anthony Long as president; Eva Kirkman as vice president, Embekka Roberson as secretary and Rob Bowen as treasurer.

Further information and meeting notices for the foundation can be viewed at bhamgov.org/communityhousefoundation.