In July 2017, a total of seven (7) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. In comparison, July 2016 was 20; July 2015 was 31; and July 2014 was 6. One permit is for a shed in the Maywood National Register Historic District and has been reviewed by HALRB.

Single Family: Six of the permits are for single-family homes all of which are located in North Arlington. At least two of the projects are speculative developments. Only one home is located in National Register Historic Districts:

• 1563 North Bryan Street, Lyon Village National Register Historic District

Totals for 2017
Homes: 86
– 25 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 54 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 2
Commercial Buildings: 4
Other Structures: 2
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.