The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-09-20
U. S.' LARGEST
 WAR HOUSING
 PROJECT BUILT

Portland, Ore, (UP)-Vanpor city, the nations largest single war; housing project, has been completed.
 The wonder city, the city they said couldn't be built, already is acknowledged as one of the most important cogs in Portland's ship building industry. Upon its com- pletion, the Kaiser company and the Federal Public Housing Au- thority formally have placed its operation in the hands of the Port land Housing Authority.
 The giant war project will shell ter 10000 residents. stepping into fifth place in population among the cities of the Northwest and second in Oregon. Salem, Oregorl's capital and formerly second city in size, needed nearly century to attain population of 30,000.
 Under the direction of Albert A. Pierson, chief construction engi- neer for the FpHA, and William H. Harlow, Kaiser company engineer, the war metropolis was built in just 90 days. It is the most extensnive mass housing experiment in all time.
 Covers 65O Acres
 Construction O. the project which came to be known as "the muddy miracle" officially began Sept. IA, 1922 on an original plan for G. 022 housing units. This soon was boosted to 9,942 units. The first 400 families were moving itno their new quarters in time for Christmas. Provisions for war tenants continued at the rate of several hundred dwelling units a week.
 Vanport city cover $50 acres. It consists of 703 apartment buildings and IT multiple dwelling struc- lures, totaling 9,942 units, with l81 service anneXes and AS special pub lie and service buildings. An ad- ministration center, a U. s. post office, five grade schools, six nurs- cry schools, three fire stations, a motion picture theater, five social buildings, a library, n infirmary with 1S0 beds, & police station, 10 ice houses, six maintenance build ings and two commercial centers care for the civic, social and serv- ice needs of the community.
 In the staggering task of raising a modern city of this size from the grass roots in 90 days, nearly 1000 men and women were engaged from time to time. Prefabrication and production-line technique were among expediting methods used.
 In the construction, 54000,000 board feet of Oregon lumber, 24,- 100000 square feet of sheet-rock, 6000,000 square feet of plywood, 10,000,000 square feet of firteX, 30,- 900 gallons of paint, 37 tons of nails and 38,000 doors were used.
 Rents from So to $11.55
 Provided by the FPHA are light, heat and water, and all household furnishings except linen, cooking utensils, silver and china.
 The apartments, all painted green on the exterior, are arranged for two, four, six or eight people. Weekly rents are $7 for one room; two rooms, $s.75; three rooms, $lo.l5 and four rooms $l1.55.
 Between each four buildings is service unit, which contains cen- tral heating foi its block, laundry tubs and janitor quarters.
 Seven and seven-tenths miles of streets have been laid and 12 miles of sidewalks. Ine city has been landScaped. It no longer Is "the muddy miracle; it's just a miracle.
 Average Age 8
 Whereas the average age of the population of Oregon before the new migration was next to the old est in the country, the population of Vanport city is one of the young est. It is the heart of the new mi grafton, and there is only one pre- requisite for living there-employ- ment in an essential war industry.
 The average age of the adults of the pioneers of the '40s who make up the population is about 33; the children (of which there are many, are mostly under 10.
 And through the whole vast proj- ect of Vanport city, the war city, a community feeling has begun to spread. Parent groups are begin ming to form in connection with the schools: mothers are attending first-aid and home-nursing classes; scout troops are being formed.