First mockup rules the most

and gives at a glance project(s) status view.

The only changes are:

1. Despite of Recent changes I would give number of recent changes (after X open tasks / x changes), linking to project page/changes view (with added grouping filter by item, like: comment, wiki, task (modified), etc.).
2. In place of recent changes I would give estimated end (calculated from tasks/milestones) and days lasts/delayed.