In August 2019, a total of twenty one (21) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. This is the highest number for August in the past five years. As August 2018 was 10; August 2017 was 15; August 2016 was 19; August 2015 was 14; and, August 2014 was 8. This August 18 of the homes are in North Arlington and two were in South Arlington. Three are located in the Lyon Village National Register Historic District:

• 3162 21st Street North is in the Lyon Village National Register Historic District
• 2600 16th Street North is in the Lyon Village National Register Historic District
• 3123 17th Street North is in the Lyon Village National Register Historic District

Commercial Buildings
One demolition permit was for 1810 North Edison Street. It is the first 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: 109
– 25 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 62 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 3
Commercial Buildings: 7
Other Structures: 2
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.