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Jamaica Plain News

Washington Street Developer Wants to Decrease Affordable Units Due to Lending and Construction Costs

By David Ertischek on May 17, 2026
Washington Street Developer Wants to Decrease Affordable Units Due to Lending and Construction Costs

A developer of an approved project at 3326 Washington St. wants to decrease the amount of affordable units, citing lending requirements and high construction costs. The 5-story project was approved for 43 rental residential units, with 10 units being affordable at 70% AMI (area median income). Eldev Washington LLC bought the project from the original developer, and filed a plan to alter the number of affordable units with the Boston Planning Department back in October…

Register for Bike Tour of JP’s Community Gardens

Register for Bike Tour of JP’s Community Gardens

By David Ertischek on May 14, 2026

If you enjoy bicycling and gardening, the Tour de Green of Jamaica Plain is an event you don’t want to miss on May 21. Organized by the Boston Cyclists Union and The Trustees Boston Community Gardens—the ride will tour different community gardens in Jamaica Plain—particularly The Trustees and Department of Conservation & Recreation gardens. The tour will take place from 5:30 to 7 pm, and will loop around the Southwest Corridor near Stony Brook and…

Kite & Bike Festival at Franklin Park on May 16

Kite & Bike Festival at Franklin Park on May 16

By David Ertischek on May 13, 2026

You can bring your own kite, make a kite, or buy a kite at the annual (and free) Franklin Kite & Bike Festival on May 16. This free, family-friendly festival features games, arts and crafts, kites for sale, local vendors, food trucks, music, face painting, airbrush tattoos, and more. The Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag will share the tradition of building a fish weir with students from the Rafael Hernandez School. There will also be bicycles…

What’s This Weird Book with Phone #s In It??

What’s This Weird Book with Phone #s In It??

By David Ertischek on May 12, 2026

The other day I came upon a pile of books and amongst the fiction was an old Jamaica Plain phonebook from 1988-1989. Inside this magical book are ads for companies no longer with us: Cajun Joe’s, which sold fried chicken, biscuits, and more; and Pablo hair salon. There are also ads for some familiar businesses like Ferris Wheels and Jamaica Plain Auto Body.

Japanese Shaved Ice Dessert Biz Coming to Centre Street

Japanese Shaved Ice Dessert Biz Coming to Centre Street

By David Ertischek on May 11, 2026

Gori, a Japanese shaved dessert business is coming to a Centre Street location that’s seen a lot of different businesses come and go—so let’s hope this new one stays. JP Centre South Main Streets posted a photo of 660B Centre Street’s door, advertising the new business. Gori’s website says its opening this spring, which means it’s going to hopefully open soon. “As a cafe dedicated to everything we love about kakigori, we’ll highlight traditional and…

Croft School to Close at End of School Year

Croft School to Close at End of School Year

By David Ertischek on May 10, 2026

After failed attempts to sell the school, the Croft School announced that it will close at the end of the school year. In March it was learned that the school’s co-founder Scott Given had reportedly misrepresented the school’s finances, which resulted in a $13 million debt, and a need for $5 million to keep the school open the rest of the year. Parents raised enough money to keep the school open, as did its South…

Get Ready, Get Set, and Go! Healthy Kids Running Series Begins May 17

By David Ertischek on May 10, 2026

The Healthy Kids Running Series is a no pressure option if your kid is interested in running, or if you want to get your kid out of the house and enjoy exercise. The 5-week series started in 2009 and has races around the country. The series offers different race distances for different age groups: 2/3-year-olds — 50-yard dash; 4/5-year-olds — 75-yard dash; kindergarten/first grade — 1/4 mile; 2nd/3rd grade — 1/2 mile; 4th-8th grade —…

Roundhead’s JP Gas Beer Garden is Back

Roundhead’s JP Gas Beer Garden is Back

By David Ertischek on May 7, 2026

Roundhead Brewing’s beer garden at the former JP Gas station on Centre Street is back starting May 8. Owned by Jamaica Plain residents, Roundhead is serving up four beers on tap, and El Rey del Chimis is serving up Dominican street food. The beer garden (561 Centre St.) will be open on Friday and Saturday through September, and kicks off on May 8 with a live Marinera dance performance at 5 pm. Roundhead will also…

JP Resident Honored as Fastest Bostonian Wheelchair Racer in Boston Marathon

JP Resident Honored as Fastest Bostonian Wheelchair Racer in Boston Marathon

By David Ertischek on May 6, 2026

Jamaica Plain’s Delmace Mayo was honored on May 6 as the fastest Bostonian who competed in the Boston Marathon’s wheelchair divisions—finishing the race in 1:51. Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Athletic Association honored the recipients of the Fastest Bostonians Awards, given to four Boston residents with the quickest finish times at the 130th Boston Marathon. Along with Mayo, awards were presented to: Michael Schmidt, who finished the race in 2:22. Schmidt is an East…

JP Library Spring Book Sale to Benefit Programming + Artist Reception

JP Library Spring Book Sale to Benefit Programming + Artist Reception

By David Ertischek on May 5, 2026

The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Library spring book sale is taking place May 7-9. Donated books will be sold to raise funds for programming and extras in the coming year. Also, the next art exhibition at the Jamaica Plain Branch Library, in partnership with the Friends of the JP Library, is 10 the Hard Way, featuring work by Massachusetts-based artist David Redfield. 10 the Hard Way is on view from May 7– July 8, 2026,…

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