In December 2019, a total of seven demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. In comparison most Decembers are also slow, but this was the slowest. In December 2018 12; December 2017 9; December 2016 was 10; December 2015 was 10; December 2014 was 15; and December 2013 was 11. All are for single family homes. An interesting component this month is that several of the homes are owned by people who have owned them for several years. Only one demolition is for a speculative development and only one is in South Arlington. Two of the properties are located in a National Register Historic District:

• 722 North Garfield Street is in the Lyon Park National Register Historic District
• 600 North Jackson is in the Ashton Heights National Register Historic District

Totals for 2019
Homes: 159
– 36 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 85 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 3
Commercial Buildings: 11
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.