In April 2018, a total of nine (9) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. In comparison, April 2017 was 17; April 2016 was 11; April 2015 was 18; and, April 2014 was 22;

Single Family: All but one of the permits are for single-family homes. Two of the permits were in South Arlington. At least five of the projects are speculative developments. Five of the homes are located in a National Register Historic Districts:

• 2041 North Utah Street is in the Cherrydale National Register Historic District
• 918 17th Street South is in the Aurora Highlands National Register Historic District
• 4508 16th Street North is in the Waverly Hills National Register Historic District
• 3163 20th Street North is in the Lyon Village National Register Historic District
• 213 North Edgewood Street is in the Lyon Park National Register Historic District

Other: The remaining permit was for the demolition of the garage at Reevesland, a locally-designated Historic District. This demolition was approved by HALRB as the garage is considered a non-conforming structure to the Reevesland Historic District.

Totals for 2018
Homes: 49
– 15 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 30 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 0
Commercial Buildings: 4
Other Structures: 3
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.