The fate of the property has been the center of discussion for the Jamaica Plain community for the past two years. With a growing demand of affordable housing, the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council (JPNC) has redevelopment plans known as the Forest Hills Improvement Initiative (FHII) led by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA).
The FHII's first community meeting in 2006 states they wanted the Washington Street parcel
(taking up one-thirds of the parking lot) to be used as "housing that keeps people here." This process includes plans for 135 units of housing.
For the larger Washington Street parcel, the FHII foresaw a "grocery store" or "community youth center."
Local developer and contractor WCI Corps. is currently discussing development plans for two small parcels in the lot that could include a small grocery store. WCI Corps is also proposing commercial and retail building, unlike the FHII guidelines.
While housing development and area traffic remain at the forefront of public concern, Jamaica Plain residents seem to remain open-minded for the lot.
