In October 2019, a total of fifteen (15) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. In comparison, October 2018 was 19; October 2017 was 24; October 2016 was 12; October 2015 was 10; October 2014 was 18 and October 2013 was 27. And, of the fifteen permits, only eleven are for single family homes. The other permits are for a commercial building and for two former education buildings. One permit is a reissue of one from this summer. All of the homes are in North Arlington. Five are speculative developments. Only one is located in a National Register Historic District:

• 3219 1st Street North is in the Ashton Heights National Register Historic District

Commercial Buildings
Demolition permits were for the remaining two two buildings on the County property that was traded to Arlington Hospital for their expansion. This is the last of several buildings to be demolished to make room for the major expansion of Arlington Hospital, as approved by the County Board.

Totals for 2019
Homes: 129
– 29 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 71 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 3
Commercial Buildings: 9
Other Structures: 3
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.