April pretty much matches other April numbers. This year there were 12 demo permits. Last year was 12. This year it was 11 houses and one commercial building. Last year it was too. In previous years: April 2018 being 9 permits; April 2017 was 17; April 2016 was 11; April 2015 was 18; and, April 2014 was 22;

Single Family: Eleven of the twelve permits were for single-family homes; and one permit is for a commercial building the county purchased for park expansion. All the homes were in North Arlington while the commercial building was in in South Arlington. Nine of the eleven home are speculative developments. Five of the homes are located in a National Register Historic Districts:

• 1502 North Wakefield Street is in the Waverly Hills National Register Historic District
• 3156 18th Street North is in the Lyon Village National Register Historic District
• 712 North Kenmore Street is in the Ashton Heights National Register Historic District
• 819 North Ivy Street is in the Ashton Heights National Register Historic District
• 825 North Ivy Street is in the Ashton Heights National Register Historic District

Totals for 2020
Homes: 54
– 12 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 34 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 0
Commercial Buildings: 1
Other Structures: 2
Civic Buildings: 3

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.