Operation Begins At Harvardevens Housing Project

With a proposed maximum price range of $41 to $55 per month, approximately 55 students and their families will open the occupancy of the 400-unit University housing project, Harvardevens Village, formerly that part of Fort Devens known as Lovell General Hospital.

Expressing hope that these prices could be "cut down somewhat in the near future," Edward Francis, real estate consultant for the University's Straus Hall Housing Office, announced yesterday that the $41 units would have, besides living-room, kitchen, bath, and plentiful storage space, one bedroom; the $48 units, two bedrooms; and the $55 units, three bedrooms.

Facilities Offset High Rents

"The higher rents," Francis said, "are partially offset by additional facilities, such as heat, hot water, and electricity, included in the rent. Also, as the project must, of necessity, be a self-supporting community, operating costs will be higher."

Each unit will have an ice-box and electric stove, and the Federal Public Housing Authority has provided bedroom furniture. Thus far, the University has been able to purchase living-room furniture for 100 units, but furniture for the remaining units is expected to be on hand by the time these units are ready for occupancy.

Transportation by Railroad

The Boston and Main Railroad has helped alleviate the transportation problem, due to the fact that Harvardevens Village is more than an hour's train ride from Cambridge, by providing special stops of its commuting trains at Shirley, the station nearest Fort Devens, and Porter Square in Cambridge.

Residents of the village, who will obtain special ticket books at the rate of $17.35 for 60 rides, can find the train schedule, which began Saturday, posted on the Straus Hall bulletin board.

The village will maintain its own dispensary and infirmary, available to students on their regular Stillman Infirmary fee and available, at moderate rates, to their families on a schedule to be worked out in the near future. Dr. A. V. Bock of the University Hygiene Department will supervise the medical facilities.

Shopping Center Planned

Since Harvardevens Village will be a self-sufficient community, Fletcher W. Taft, resident manager, is planning several co-operative ventures, including a nursery, bowling alleys, and a theatre, for which the University has already purchased projection equipment.

Several merchants have shown willingness to undertake shopping concessions and the University has begun plans for a grocery store, tailor and barber shops, and a beauty parlor. These, along with the manager's office, will occupy the central portion of the development