Town upset about future development

One of the largest housing developers in the midlands is planning to build just north of Columbia. The Mungo Corporation wants people to be able to leave the clutter of the city and to help this happen they plan to build in the small town of Blythewood.

And even though this brings more growth to the town, many Blythewood residents aren’t happy.

Glenn Didyoung is a resident of Blythewood and likes the quietness of his home.

“I like being away from the city, just close enough so that I’m not on top of all the development,” says Didyoung.

But Didyoung’s solitude is about to be shattered. He lives just down the road from where the Mungo Company hopes to build a new 400-house development. Didyoung and other residents think the development will destroy the small-town life.

“We’re not really opposed to additional development, we realize that development is necessary, and this is an area that’s appealing, and it’s appealing because it’s rural.” Didyoung says.

One of the major concerns about the development is its effect on the natural habitat.

Blythewood Mayor Amoth says he doesn’t want Blythewood to become a St. Andrew’s Road or Harbison Boulevard.

The mayor says, “People have all said we came out here to live, not to work.”

The mayor also doesn’t want Blythewood to loose its rural appeal. “Blythewood is what town and country is all about,” he says.

In the meantime, Didyoung plans on enjoying his house in the quiet country while he can.

The Mungo Corporation did not comment on Blythewood residents’ reaction to the development. The company has bought land and plans to start building in summer.

Reported by:

Karen Vaught

Karen is from the small community of Galivants Ferry in South Carolina, but loves the city of Columbia. She graduates in May and hopes to get a producing job at one of the local television stations. When she’s not working at Carolina News, which is very rarely, Karen enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family. Karen hopes to one day become a news director for a large market television station.