Evening star., 1941-02-07
New Greenbe|t
Housing May !
ChangeSetup' ,
U. S. Plans to Drop
Administrative Duties
More Facilities Seen
BY JOHN d. LEONARD.

Expansion of Greenbelt CMd)
through construction of an addi-
tional 1000 homes for Washington
defense workers is not expected to
interfere with the Federal Gov
ernment's plan to give up admins
tration of the model community,
it was learned today.
This disclosure followed an au-
thorization by the Federal works
agency late Wednesday for con-
struction of the new housing prof.
ect on surplus acreage surrounding
the community as one of the largest
of 43 defense housing projects
throughout the country. Construc-
ton is expected to get under way
within 80 days.
At the same time a poll of Sen-
timent among administrative and
town officials at Greenbelt revealed
strong approval of the new project
chiefly On the grounds that it would
bring Greenbelt nearer to the size
for which IL was originally designed.
Farm Security Administration Of
ficlals said the new housing project
would facilitate the plan of the
Government to give up control, an
nounced several months ago, in that
large taXpaying population would
be available to support Greenbelt's
operating and maintenance costs,
the towns utilities being designed
for much larger population than
that existing at Greenbelt.
In addition, it was also suggested
that the increased population would
lessen the individual burden of
sharing town costs.
Officials based their opinion on
the assumption that the additional
housing project would be incor-
porated into the present town.
Hope for Action This Year.
They were uncertain as to when
the administrative plan will go into
effect. but hope that it may be
some time during the year. Under
its terms administrative details
would be turned over to individual
housing authorities or incorporated
resident associations to whom the
community would be leased in return
for an annual rent. or mortgaged
on an lnstallment basis if it were
sold.
Commenting on the new housing
program Mayor George E. Warner of
Greenbelt said it would be of special
benefit to the community since the
town was originally planned for a
population three times as large as
the present. In addition he said
it would probably bring the problem
of transportation to head -.
The plan also met the, approval
of Councilmen Thomas B. Kicker
aid Edward Walther, the latter
pointing out it would benefit ac-
tivities of the local health associa-
ton, recreational groups who need
a community center and church
groups, who desire buildings for
worship
In regard to the health associa-
ton, Mr.. Walther said the $4,000
annual subsidy for the hospital
which is derived from town taxes
could be spread over larger group
of people. He expressed doubt that
the hospitals facilities were being
Shopping Center Seen Adequate.
George E Hodsdon, manager of
the Greenhelt Consumer Service,
local cooperative merchandising
group, said that with the exception
of the food store, the towns shop
ping center facilities would be
adequate to serve the needs of the
5000 persons expected to occupy
the new dwelling units.
Officials said school facilities also
will have to be extended to meet
the new needs. 1t was revealed that /
500 students are now enrolled in the !
elementary school and 247 in the |
high school, both of which are filled /.
to capacity. The elementary school /
was built for 200 students, according
to local authorities.
Miss Elizabeth Yuretich, superin-
tendent of the hospital, predicted |
1t would be necessary to provide an |
addition to the hospital also.
However, the basic utilities such !
as water, sewer and electricity .
facilities are adequate to meet the
new needs, and consequently only
the usual extensions to the new
dwelling units will be needed.
It is also understood the new
housing project will not interfere
With plans of local group who con-
template building their own homes
at Greenbelt on cooperative !
basis.