J
D Ybanez, co‑owner of Rodeo Dallas, posted a long Instagram video accusing Asana Partners of trying to gentrify Deep Ellum. He claims the investment firm targets venues that draw a diverse crowd, pushing for changes that would remove Black and Mexican patrons, clubs, bars, and restaurants. Ybanez says Asana’s goal is to raise property values by “whitewashing” the neighborhood, citing proposed restrictions such as banning chains, face tattoos, white T‑shirts, and Jordans to filter who can enter establishments.

    Ybanez reports meetings with developers where music, dress codes, and demographics were discussed as ways to alter the area’s character. He argues the firm’s focus is on eliminating the current cultural mix, not on safety. In contrast, Asana’s managing director, Chris Dalton, maintains that the lawsuit stems from safety concerns. He cited Judge Veretta Frazier’s temporary injunction, issued September 5, which keeps Rodeo Dallas closed while the case proceeds in Dallas County’s 44th District Court. The judge cited overserving, underage drinking, crowd‑control failures, and incidents of violence—including a murder—as reasons the bar is a public nuisance.

    Asana must post a $2.25 million bond during the closure. Ybanez counters that Rodeo has taken concrete steps to improve safety: extra security, better lighting, and stricter entry rules. He insists the bar is not the “linchpin of crime” in Deep Ellum and that its vision is to preserve the neighborhood’s diversity while making it safer for everyone. “I will never run a business that discriminates,” he declares.