The Sun Gazette explains the designation:
"Following 'essential' in the rankings are those deemed 'important,' 'notable' and 'minor,' along with properties that have been altered significantly enough to eradicate their historical provenance, and those that have been demolished."
The Colonial Village Shopping Center in Arlington is among the chosen. Blogger Miles Grant thinks that is absurd:
"Really? Sure, its current tenants are cool, what with Ray's Hell Burger and one of Arlington's few remaining non-Starbucks coffee shops. But is it really "essential" to have an old strip mall with a large surface parking lot on a prime spot on Wilson Blvd. between Rosslyn & Courthouse?"
Comments
As a staff member involved
As a staff member involved with this exciting initiative to prioritize historic resources for preservation and planning purposes, I do think that historic shopping centers have merit. To learn more about why Colonial Village Shopping Center and other properties should be considered "essential" historic resources, visit www.arlingtonva.us/departments/CPHD/ons/hp/page73165.aspx. Click on the links for each of the 23 Essential buildings for photos and a narrative description about their historical and architectural significance.