In March 2018, a total of eleven (11) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. In comparison, March 2017 was 13; March 2016 was 16; March 2015 was 16; and, March 2014 was 9;

Single Family: All but one of the permits are for single-family homes and all are located in in north Arlington. At least five of the projects are speculative developments. Only one of the homes is located in a National Register Historic Districts:

• 3214 1st Street North is in the Ashton Heights National Register Historic District

Other: The remaining permit was for a garage at a single family home.

Totals for 2018
Homes: 41
– 10 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 25 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 0
Commercial Buildings: 4
Other Structures: 2
Civic Buildings: 0

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.