In November 2016, a total of twenty-eight (28) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County.

Single Family: Fifteen are for single-family homes. Three of the properties are in South Arlington. At least six of the projects are speculative developments. Four are located in National Register Historic Districts:

• 3117 1st Street North, Lyon Park National Register Historic District
• 922 22nd Street South, Aurora Highlands National Register Historic District
• 2811 Franklin Road, Lyon Village National Register Historic District
• 3412 3RD Street North, Ashton Heights National Register Historic District

Garden Apartments: Five permits are for a garden apartment complex (circa 1961) that is being redeveloped into a modern rental building under by-right zoning. Two adjacent homes, not included in the Maywood or Cherrydale Historic Districts, are also part of that redevelopment.

Commercial: The commercial properties in South Arlington are being redeveloped as those area transitions from a low industrial character to a high density urban character. The six properties on South Eads Street represent the final phases of a major redevelopment of that super block under Arlington’s publicly reviewed siteplan process. The demolition of the property on South Fern Street is part of a complex phasing process for the redevelopment of that property, also under Arlington’s publicly reviewed siteplan process.

Other: One demolition permit was for a large secondary building on a property.

Totals for 2016
Homes: 162
– 29 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 75 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 14
Commercial Buildings: 11

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.