In September 2015, a total of twenty-two (22) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. Ten were for single-family homes in North Arlington, one of which is located in the Lyon Park National Register Historic District (2910 2nd Road North).

Nine of the properties are a collection of garden apartment buildings, known as the George Washington Carver Homes, and are an important part of Arlington’s African American History. The HALRB is working with the developer to place a historical marker at the site. Read the staff report on the property here. The site has been sold by the co-operative and the redevelopment is a by-right project.

At least 2 of the single-family demolition permits were for speculative developments and the Carver Homes site is a speculative development. Three of the demolition permits are “other” and not part of our vanishing past.

Totals for 2015
Homes: 161
– 36 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 92 are speculative developments (owned by developers)

Commercial buildings: 9
Garden Apartments: 9

The looming demolition of these houses and buildings represents an incredible loss of history, architecture, time, energy, and materials. Many had the potential for renovation and additions or, at a bare minimum, reclamation/reuse of building materials. These buildings are often replaced with new construction that is out of scale and proportion to the community. Preservation Arlington urges citizens to adopt Local Historic District designations for their communities, with standards for design, height, and placement that could be customized to reflect community needs while still allowing reinvestment to occur.

Similarly, if you are a property owner and are contemplating a change to your property, Preservation Arlington encourages you to work with your architect or builder to consider how some or all of your house or building could be incorporated into a renovation, or the materials reused.