In August 2016, a total of nineteen (19) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. All were for single-family homes. Five of the properties are in South Arlington. At least eleven of the projects are speculative developments. Three of the demolitions are located in a National Register Historic Districts:

• 3147 Key Boulevard, Lyon Village National Register Historic District
• 4504 16th Street North Street, Waverly Hills National Register Historic District
• 919 19th Street South, Aurora Highlands National Register Historic District

Totals for 2016
Homes: 119
– 24 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 59 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 7
Commercial Buildings: 3

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.