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Welcome to the Neighborhood

Dear Neighbor,
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On behalf of the F.Q. Story Steering Committee, welcome to your new home and neighborhood community! You have moved into an exceptional neighborhood, full of diversity and unique charm. Here, we strive to bring our historic homeowners closer together through events, our monthly newsletter, online message board, and F.Q. Story Mother’s Group. We walk our dogs, our kids, and sometimes even our cats up and down our streets. We sit on front porches and wave to neighbors as they pass by. We look forward to getting to know you!
 

The FQ Story Historic District is not just a collection of beautiful houses; it's a vibrant community rich with history, culture, and architectural diversity. As you settle into your new surroundings, we hope you find as much joy in exploring its tree-lined streets and diverse examples of period architecture as we do.

This page is designed as your introduction to life here. It contains valuable resources about our community's history, essential contacts within the preservation society, and guidance on taking full advantage of living within this historical treasure trove. You'll also find tips on how you can contribute towards maintaining the unique charm that makes our neighborhood stand out. Welcome Home!

The F.Q. Story Historic Neighborhood was named after the prestigious landowner of the area in the 1900's - Francis Quarles Story. The district boundary runs from McDowell Rd. south to Roosevelt St. and from Seventh Ave. west to Grand Ave. The neighborhood consists of 602 homes that were constructed from the early 1920s through the late 1940s. A variety of architectural styles are featured, including: Spanish Colonial Revival, English Tudor, Craftsman bungalows, Prairie bungalows, and Transitional Ranch homes. See the whole story here.

Historic Preservation Office (HPO)
The City of Phoenix has a fabulous office of historic preservation - the FAQ page will get you started learning about and loving your historic home.

Curious about your home? A great place to start is the Historic Preservation Office guide: Researching an Historic Property.

The Arizona Room at the Burton Barr Library is also a great resource.

Steering Committee

On behalf of the F.Q. Story Steering Committee, welcome to your new home and neighborhood community! You have moved into an exceptional neighborhood, full of diversity and unique charm.

The members of the Steering Committee are the elected representatives of the Story Preservation Association. The Story Preservation Association is the non-profit organization of the F.Q. Story Historic District, located in Phoenix, Arizona. If you own or rent residential or commercial property in the Story Neighborhood, you are automatically a member of the Story Preservation Association.

 

The Steering Committee and its officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, are elected each year in April by the residents of the neighborhood. This is not a Homeowners Association. There are no dues to be paid. The mission of the steering committee is to support the Neighborhood Conservation Plan, a Special Conservation District adopted by the City of Phoenix, March 11, 1987.

The Association shall also promote communications between the residents of Story and the City of Phoenix; provide and maintain updated information for the members regarding activities which might have an impact on the future growth or improvements within the neighborhood; encourage active participation by the membership and promote goodwill among the members of the Association.

A complete description of By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation, and Committees can be found here.

Community Engagement & Events

Check the back of FQ StoryTime monthly newsletter for committee contacts and the calendar of upcoming events. Come meet new friends and join the fun. This is a great way to be involved!!! All events have opportunities to join committees or just volunteer for a few hours.

FQ Story Blend - Saturday morning coffee. Just come to meet your neighbors. From October to April, the Community Engagement Committee hosts a monthly pop-up coffee stand at various neighborhood locations. Enjoy breakfast treats and make new friends! Times and places are announced in the Story Time newsletter and online. Flyers are also distributed to blocks near the area.

 

Ice Cream Social, World’s Shortest Parade & Trunk or Treat: Each fall, F.Q. Story celebrates National Night Out and Halloween with one of our favorite neighborhood traditions. The festivities kick off with the World’s Shortest Parade, when costumed neighbors, kids, decorated bikes, and even a few four-legged participants make their way down Lynwood Street. A parade marshal leads the way, and we’ve even been known to have a fire truck join the procession!

The parade ends at 11th Avenue and Lynwood, where the Ice Cream Social keeps the fun going with ice cream treats, hot dogs, games and activities for the kids, along with an opportunity to meet neighbors and connect with our Neighborhood Safety and Block Watch volunteers.

Neighborhood Yard Sale is in early March from 7 - 2 pm. It is a neighborhood-wide yard sale advertised in the Arizona Republic and online. This is a great opportunity to rid yourself of all those things you packed and moved and now realize you don’t want!

Neighborhood Picnic and Steering Committee Election: Held each April before the summer heat sets in, our annual Neighborhood Potluck brings neighbors together at 11th Avenue and Lynwood Street for an afternoon of food and fun. We fire up the grills and provide hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, toppings, and drinks while neighbors bring their favorite side dish or dessert to share. With a bounce house and games for the kids, and often live music, it’s a relaxed afternoon to catch up with old neighbors and meet some new ones.

Early Trick or Treat is a fun, relaxed neighborhood tradition that began during the uncertainty of the pandemic. In 2020, the F.Q. Story Parents’ Group formed to organize a safer, smaller trick-or-treat experience for neighborhood families. Kids are invited to dress up and make the rounds at participating homes for an easygoing afternoon of Halloween fun.

For Halloween-loving parents, it’s the best of both worlds: a laid-back trick-or-treat with the kiddos, followed by the thrill of handing out a thousand pieces of candy to the spooky hordes on the big night! This parent-powered event has since become an F.Q. Story tradition, and the group also hosts an annual Santa Meet & Greet each December.

City Services & Resources

Phoenix at your service now, myPHX311 is a resource for city services.You’ll find Information on trash collection, recycling programs, street maintenance, and other relevant city services.

Tax Benefits & Incentives for Historic Homeowners. 

Did you know owning a historic home may come with a significant tax benefit? Arizona’s State Historic Property Tax Program can reduce property taxes by approximately 35–45% for qualifying owner-occupied historic homes. In exchange, homeowners agree to maintain the property and preserve its historic character for a 15-year period. Eligible homes must be individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places or contribute to a listed historic district.

Learn about eligibility, requirements and how to apply



Finally, please check out our section "My Old Home" for tips on preserving and restoring historic features of your unique home. 

Once again, welcome to the neighborhood! We look forward to connecting with you!

The F.Q. Story Steering Committee

Here, we strive to bring our historic homeowners closer together through events, our monthly newsletter, online message board, and F.Q. Story Mother’s Group. We walk our dogs, our kids, and sometimes even our cats up and down our streets. We sit on front porches and wave to neighbors as they pass by. We look forward to getting to know you!

The FQ Story Historic District is not just a collection of beautiful houses; it's a vibrant community rich with history, culture, and architectural diversity. As you settle into your new surroundings, we hope you find as much joy in exploring its tree-lined streets and diverse examples of period architecture as we do.

This page is designed as your introduction to life here. It contains valuable resources about our community's history, essential contacts within the preservation society, and guidance on taking full advantage of living within this historical treasure trove. You'll also find tips on how you can contribute towards maintaining the unique charm that makes our neighborhood stand out. Welcome Home!

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