In June 2017, a total of seventeen (17) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. In comparison, June 2016 was 12; June 2015 was 28; and June 2014 was 44.

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

• 4404 20th Street North, Waverly Hills National Register Historic District
• 1801 North Bryan Street, Lyon Village National Register Historic District

Garden Apartments

• 5724 10th Road North, Westover National Register Historic District
• 5718 10th Road North, Westover National Register Historic District

Commercial: There was one commercial demolition permits for a County approved redevelopment:

• 4000 Fairfax Drive, Carpool. The property is being redeveloped under a special exception approved by Arlington County;

Totals for 2017
Homes: 80
– 24 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 52 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 2
Commercial Buildings: 4
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.