Fig 4.19 - Estimated Devolpment In Ballston

Good access to employment in Washington created a market for residential growth in Arlington in the 1920s and 1950s. Commercial development in the 1920s & 1930s was concentrated along Fairfax drive, providing neighbourhood shopping facilities for Ballston. During the 1940s and 50s, commercial development was extended along Wilson Boulevard and North Glebe road.

Population of Ballston in the 1960’s was 4500. A large number of Ballston’s residents, an estimated 46 per cent live in Garden apartments; an estimated 30 per cent live in single-family detached units; an estimated 18 per cent live in high-rise apartment buildings; and the remaining 6 per cent of the population live in other type of buildings.

NORTH BALLSTON is primarily a renter-occupied residential neighbourhood. This however has not always been the case. The percentage of resident owners declined from 90 per cent in 1950 to 71 per cent in 1970 to 35 per cent in 1978. Although most of the housing was constructed in the early 1900s there are homes in the area which date back to the 1890s. The homes in North Ballston have relatively small lots ranging from 5000 to 15000sq.ft. Homes north of 11th street have a higher owner-occupancy rate and are better maintained than those to the

south. Over the past fifteen years an increasing number of properties have been bought for investment and maintained with few improvements.

CENTRAL BALLSTON is primarily a commercial area although it includes other uses. Prior to 1950, Central Ballston had a mixture of residential, commercial and light industrial zoning.

WEST BALLSTON: The majority of land in West Ballston is included in the designated Ball’s crossing Neighbourhood Conservation area. The single family neighbourhood is largely composed of cape cod style houses constructed prior to 1960. In addition to the single family neighbourhood, a substantial number arden apartments are located south of Carlin Springs road. The Hyde Park high-rise apartments are located at the corner of North Glebe road and North Henderson road.

Fig 4.19 - ESTIMATED DEVOLPMENT IN BALLSTON