Located along Pershing Dr., the Gates of Arlington is a four-building enclave within the 1,544-unit, World War II-era Buckingham campus of garden-style structures. Buckingham is a three-section residential community that consists of the Gates of Arlington, Buckingham Village and Arlington Oaks, all of which offer affordable housing to everyone from immigrants to young professionals to the elderly. Most of the complex's diverse group of renters would likely have to move out of the area if a new owner redevelops and increases rents. "The Gates of Arlington is home to a vibrant multicultural community that should not be destroyed in Arlington's heated real estate market," says Arlington County Board chairman Chris Zimmerman. "Arlington's partnership with AHC will preserve the community and maintain critically needed affordable housing."

It was just over a decade ago when The Gates avoided destruction by another developer, Klingbeil Co, which wanted to demolish the apartments and replace them with new homes. While no decision has been made on who will be the lucky buyer of the complex, AHC has made a personal plea to Hall, expressing the necessity of preserving such a concentration of affordable housing in the area. To help sweeten the deal, county officials are working with lenders to establish a line of credit of as much as $15 million that would serve as interim acquisition funding.