In January 2020, a total of fifteen demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. January also starts with a higher number of demos. January 2019 was 21; 2018 was 19; 2017 was 9; 2016 was 13; 2015 was 22; and, 2014 was 12. Thirteen of the permits are for single family homes with one for a garage and one for sewer pumping station. Eleven of the houses are in North Arlington. In a first, none of the homes are in National Register Historic Districts.

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