In May 2017, a total of twenty-two (22) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. In comparison, May 2016 was 17; May 2015 was 18; and April 2014 was 22.

Single Family: Twenty are for single-family homes all of which were located in North Arlington. At least fourteen of the projects are speculative developments. Four homes are located in National Register Historic Districts:

• 719 North Irving Street, Lyon Park National Register Historic District
• 5724 16th Street North, Westover National Register Historic District
• 118 North Jackson Street, Ashton Heights National Register Historic District
• 1515 North Garfield Street, Lyon Village National Register Historic District

Commercial: There were two commercial demolition permits:

• 950 South George Mason Drive which is the Food Star Shopping Center. The property is being redeveloped under a special exception approved by Arlington County;
• 2400 Shirlington Road is a commercial property that was purchased by Arlington County for the the Nauck Town Center.

Totals for 2017
Homes: 66
– 22 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 42 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 0
Commercial Buildings: 3
Other Structures: 1
Civic Buildings: 2

The pending demolition of these homes and buildings represents a 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.