Superstar Dave Chappelle threatened the local city council that he would pull out tens of millions of dollars in investments if they voted to allow affordable housing to be built in his current hometown of Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Chappelle announced during his personal appearance before the city council, which was captured on video on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, of his vow to pull about $65 million in investments in the small village that boasts a population of about 3,700 people. Yellow Springs is 55 miles west of the capital city of Columbus, near the Dayton metro area.
The Half-Baked and Blue Streak star called the village’s council “clowns” for being intimidated by a proposed deal from developer Oberer Homes when the comedian is investing more into the town.
“I don’t know why the council would be afraid of litigation from a $24 million-a-year company while it’s out a $65 million-a-year company,” Chappelle told the council, according to a video obtained by the Dayton Daily News. “I cannot believe you would make me audition for you.”
The $39 million, 100-home development proposal, that includes duplexes and affordable housing, has divided the tiny town.
“You look like clowns — I am not bluffing,” Chappelle exclaimed. “I will take it all off the table. I have invested millions of dollars in town. If you push this thing through, what I’m investing in is no longer applicable.”
Dave Chappelle personally came to a city council meeting and threatened to remove his $65m dollars of investments from his city if they allowed a developer to move forward with an affordable housing program. The objection wasn't to the build, but the affordable housing component. https://t.co/3ahCy1KqmN pic.twitter.com/l8MTxhhlJ7
— 🚄mugrimm💨 (@ExileGrimm) February 9, 2022
The threat worked. The city council later voted down the affordable housing part of the plan.
Chappelle, who was born in Washington, D.C., used to live part-time in Yellow Springs because his father worked at a college in the area and fell in love with it. He would later make the village his permanent home after he scored big on the comedy circuit and in Hollywood.
