In May 2016, a total of seventeen (17) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. All were for single-family homes. Five of the properties are in South Arlington. Three of the projects are speculative developments. One home is located in a National Register Historic Districts:

• 1539 North Taylor Street, Cherrydale National Register Historic District

Four of the properties being demolished were purchased by Arlington County. Two (2877 and 2833 Harrison Street) are being demolished to expand Greenbrier Park. One is for expansion of Benjamin Banneker Park (6616 18th Street North) and one is to expand an existing community garden (2822 South Arlington Ridge Road).

Totals for 2016
Homes: 72
– 12 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 32 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 5
Commercial Buildings: 2

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.