Locals in Dave Chappelle’s Ohio hometown criticize his purchase of 20 properties despite housing shortage
Dave Chappelle has been compared to Donald Trump by at least one resident of his Ohio hometown for his ability to divide people amid an ongoing spat over the millionaire comedian buying up real estate.
Chappelle, 49, was born in Washington DC but spent his summers with his father in Yellow Springs, Ohio, home to 3,700 people. In the early 2000s, Chappelle returned to Buckeye State and in 2005 purchased a 3,150-square-foot, three-bedroom home amidst 39 acres for $309,000.
Several townspeople told Bloomberg that they aren’t too happy with their A-list neighbor, saying that Chappelle was “a force that turns us into the place we’re all trying to stay away from.”
Another added, “Dave has got to be the biggest controversial thing I’ve ever seen, neighbor against neighbor.” Some residents disagreed that he apparently used his star power to thwart any doubts about his plans.
“If you close ranks, and then decimate anyone who speaks out against an idea you have, how does that inform or build a community, and how does that save a community?” asked one.
Several others compared Chappelle to Trump, according to Bloomberg, for “never apologizing, doubling down and blaming the other person.” Chappelle himself has addressed the controversies – sometimes on his shows. There are signs all over town that say “Thanks, Dave.”
Megastar comedian has lived in Yellow Springs, Ohio since the mid-2000s
This is the controversial Wirrig Pavilion in Yellow Springs where Chappelle began holding shows during the Covid-19 pandemic
The school building, built in 1872, was purchased by Chappelle in 2020
The comedian plans to turn the building into the new home of local radio station WYSO
Chappelle also plans to turn the old fire station into a comedy club
The club will be equipped with a full bar, fire animals and a neon facsimile of Chappelle
During the pandemic, Chappelle, believed to be worth $60 million, began holding concerts and shows at the Wirrig Pavilion, a wooden gazebo that sits on 34 acres of grass and trees. Some neighbors objected to the use of the farmland for shows and multiple council meetings were held.
Other local residents disagreed with his purchase of 20 properties ranging from a former schoolhouse and fire station to shops and residential homes. Chappelle is working to convert some of them into performing arts venues or spaces.
“My city was dying,” he said on Saturday Night Live in November 2020.
“I did shows in my neighbor’s cornfield, and these shows were very successful and may have even helped save the town.”
Some locals agreed: Brittany Baum, a business owner, wrote in a letter to the zoning board that the pandemic’s appearances “brought magic and energy at a time when we needed it most.”
A local accountant, Matthew Cole, wrote, “A few local businesses wouldn’t exist today without the shows.”
Chappelle commissioned a report claiming that the events generated $12 million in direct and indirect economic activity for the state of Ohio, including $4 million for the village.
“The local farmers, my neighbors, started complaining that my shows were too noisy – in a cornfield!”
He described the ensuing town meeting as “embarrassing” and said, “I resented, I resented that these country peasants could decide the fate of a man like me.” People don’t deserve to do that. They haven’t seen enough yet. They know nothing.’
Chappelle’s recent purchases include the former fire station, bought in September 2020 to turn it into a comedy club.
Three months later, he purchased the historic Union School House for $480,000, intending to turn the 1872 building into the home of local radio station WYSO.
He has also bought up a large number of residential and commercial buildings in the city.
In November 2020, he turned down the opportunity to purchase 53 acres of land next to his property, and the lot went to Oberer Land Developers, a regional homebuilder, for $1.7 million.
Dave Chappelle is in the center of the photo with rappers Dres (left) and Pos (right) of De La Soul on March 2 in New York. Chappelle’s actions in his Ohio hometown have divided the community
Chappelle hosted a series of pandemic shows at the Wirrig Pavilion in Yellow Springs – to the anger of some locals but the delight of others
Chappelle can be seen on stage at the Wirrig Pavilion in June 2020
Chappelle seemed unimpressed by Bloomberg’s reporting on Friday
Signs in support of Chappelle are on display in Yellow Springs, Ohio
Chappelle bought up this purple-fronted building that used to be the Earth Rose gift shop
Chappelle also owns the Smoking Octopus, which sells Chappelle merchandise
Oberer partnered with the Village of Yellow Springs to design a residential development that would include 64 single-family homes, 52 duplexes and 24 townhomes, with prices starting in the mid-$200,000 range, Bloomberg reported.
Oberer would also donate 1.75 acres to the village where up to 30 affordable housing units could be built one day.
But in February 2022, Chappelle attended a virtual rally and protested the plan.
Proponents said it would ultimately lead to lower prices.
“The fact that we’ve put development on hold for decades is why we have the problem we have with a lack of housing, a lack of diversity and a lack of availability,” said one.
Chappelle told the meeting he was angry that his plans for the city seemed to be taking longer to get approval.
“I can’t believe you want me to audition—for you,” he said, threatening to withdraw all of his investment.
‘You look like clowns. I’m not bluffing. I’ll sweep everything off the table. That’s all. Thank you.’
Earlier this month, Chappelle bought the site itself.
He told Bloomberg, “With the demise of Antioch College several years ago, Yellow Springs lost its cultural anchor.
“My interest has always been in restoring the cultural and creative economy that helped Antioch nurture and made Yellow Springs a haven for art, music, culture and academia.”