Quality of life in Jamaica Plain is often cited by critics of new housing, but two developments which will arguably go far to improve that quality are on either end of Jamaica Plain yet have been overlooked: the new Allandale Farm year-round buildings and the extensive modernization of the Heath Street half of the Mildred Hailey Apartments.

This is in part due to the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council’s (JPNC) preoccupation with 920 Centre St. which, after three years and three changes, is no closer to a Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) vote to say nothing of a Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) date. Reportedly more meetings are in the works.

Also emphasizing their penchant for process over progress, the JPNC has re-energized the dormant Arborway bus garage subcommittee under a new chair, Eryn Ashlie Bailey. The subcommittee is gearing up for “round two” that reportedly kicks off on Oct. 19.

But the emails keep pinging with complaints and criticism from the usual trio of arm chair architects even before the still unscheduled MBTA public meeting on the 15-percent-plus design.

As reported by The Bulletin in February 2025, the popular Allandale Farm is planning two new buildings which will enable them to be open year-round: a wood frame market barn and three greenhouses on the same site as the two older buildings.

Early in 2026, Allandale ran into some zoning weeds after ISD discovered that retail agricultural uses were forbidden, although the Allandale farmstand opened 60 years ago selling produce from its 105-acre planting fields.

The ZBA cut out the weeds, regulatorily speaking, in February and on May 19, Allandale received a $23.4 million mortgage; site clearance started soon after.

The Bulletin caught up with the farm manager Helen Glotzer at Allandale on Oct. 10, and she had some exciting news.

Gesturing to the two concrete foundations, she pointed out the two metal gables set up on the far end.

“The greenhouse arrived from Holland on Oct. 6,” she said. The 5,170-square-foot gabled glass house was manufactured by Dool International at Maasdjik. the Netherlands.

“A four-bay greenhouse with 10-foot high gables; it will take six weeks to build,” Glotzer said.

The closest foundation nearest the present farmstand is in place for the new market barn.

“The timber frame walls are being built in Walpole, NH, by Bensonwood Builders,” Glotzer said. It’s a 5,535-square-foot building.

“The wooden walls will be brought down in early November, and the barn will take about three weeks to build. We’re on track to begin construction.”

Glotzer said she plans a hard hat tour in early 2027 and expects to open in the summer of 2027.

“We’re open with limited capacity using the small garage bay [under the office] Wednesday through Saturday,” she said. “For fall plants and produce, a variety of pumpkins, a wide variety of apples plus raspberries, butternut squash and scallions.”

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“We’ll have pre-orders of Thanksgiving turkeys and pies,” Glotzer said, “and Christmas trees and greenery in the large greenhouse in back.”

The $69 million modernization of Heath Street apartments at Walden, Heath and Horan Way was briefly reported on at the second Jackson Square neighborhood association meeting on Sept. 24 by board member Bianca Terry who lives at 110 Heath St.

The Bulletin took a walk over there a week ago and the change on Walden Street just past the community garden is dramatic, with the new white and dark red panels on 10 Walden and 170 Heath St. with double panel windows.

The Heath Street corner has a new tree and has been hydroseeded for the new lawn.

The wide patio behind 170 Heath was being set by masons with white and gray blocks, and the new lawn has been graded.

The block is not occupied yet as interior work is underway, but 18 Walden is occupied and complete with new lawn, patio and benches.

Behind 18 Walden, 154-162 Heath St. is gutted and renovation just getting started.

According to the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), “The 87 residents in Heath Street have moved to other units at Mildred Hailey or to other public housing units into apartments that meet their household needs.”

The walkway is closed off between 154 and 138 Heath St.; number 138-148 is next to be worked on, but relocation has not begun according to the BHA.

Three of the five buildings in Phase I are complete according to the BHA, and all five buildings will be completed in the early spring of 2027.

Phase Two is five buildings including 122-130,106, 110 and 114 Heath Street at the corner of Bickford St and two buildings on Horan way opposite the playground.

Relocation of 72 units in Phase 2 has not begun yet according to the BHA. The BHA expects Phase 2 to start in late 2027.