May is very much like May 2019. Almost same number of permits. Same percentage are speculative. This May we see 13 permits to demolish single family homes, and over half are speculative development. Three of the homes are in South Arlington. May 2019 had 11 permits; May 2018 being 16 permits; May 2017 was 22; May 2016 was 17; May 2015 was 18; and, May 2014 was 22. At the end of May, the total number of demolitions is equal to what it was at the end of May 2019.

This month also marked the demolition of the home of Astronaut and Senator John Glenn. He lived here during his space flight. Click for details.

Single Family: Of the permits for single family homes, three are also located in a National Register Historic Districts:

• 5720 2nd Street South is in the Glencarlyn National Register Historic District
• 5724 2nd Street South is in the Glencarlyn National Register Historic District
• 2213 Military Road is in the Cherrydale National Register Historic District

Totals for 2020
Homes: 67
– 15 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 40 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 0
Commercial Buildings: 1
Other Structures: 0
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.