The Fort Mason Foundation extends its gratitude to those who participate in “Park For Preservation.” By parking inside the gates at Fort Mason Center (FMC), you help preserve and restore this one-of-a-kind historic landmark. Your dollars not only mean a home for dozens of nonprofit organizations and the continuation of the Center‘s diverse programming, you also provide opportunities for new and exciting community programs in the years to come.

Thank you.

Paid parking begins June 1, 2006.

FMC resident organizations can find information about high-impact parking periods at this link.

For answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Park For Preservation, see the Parking FAQ section.

Park For Preservation

Hours of Operation
The Fort Mason Center (FMC) parking lot is for people visiting or working at the Center. Vehicles can enter the lot at any time. There will be a cashier on duty from 8 a.m. until midnight every day that the Center is open. The exit gates will accept credit or debit cards and passes, so vehicles can exit after hours provided they do not require cashier assistance.

Entrance/Exit
There will be two entry gates where drivers insert a monthly pass, a credit or debit card, or pull a ticket. Current plans call for one traditional exit lane cashier and two express lanes during normal conditions. The express lanes will accept pre-paid tickets, including passes, or the same credit or debit card that was used at entry. In addition there will be three pay stations available during large pavilion events.

Parking Rates:

Monthly Passes
Employees of resident organizations and the Fort Mason Foundation may purchase monthly parking passes, and resident organizations may purchase passes for use by employees, students, volunteers, or interns.

Monthly passes are available only for people who work at FMC. Full access monthly passes are $70 per month. This entitles the vehicle to enter the lot at any time. Part-time monthly access passes will be $35 per month.

Initially, the total number of passes will be limited to 125 or the number sold during the first month of paid parking, whichever is greater. The limit may increase or decrease depending on analysis of the first month's activity. Pass holders have the first right to new passes, but will relinquish that right if they do not exercise it by the 5th day of the following month. The Fort Mason Foundation reserves the right to issue more passes.

Pre-Paid Tickets
Pre-paid parking ticket booklets are available for $80 for 20 daily tickets. These tickets allow parking for one business day for people at FMC. Such tickets are only for persons who need more affordable parking while at FMC. They will only be sold to FMC resident organizations. These tickets cannot be used during high impact periods.

Monthly passes or tickets do not guarantee parking. As is currently the case, the spaces in the lot are available on a first-come, first-served basis except when they are reserved for valet parking or special events. Valet parking is also on a first-come, first-served basis and there may be an additional charge.

Validation
Residents and clients can work with the Parking Operator to get validated tickets or, in some cases, they may purchase a validation machine and validate tickets on their own. Organizations will be invoiced for the value of the validations they use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Fort Mason Foundation (FMF) and the National Park Service have signed a long-term lease that will enable us to preserve and protect the buildings and piers of Fort Mason Center (FMC), which, in turn, will enable the Center‘s diverse programming to continue. In order to acquire the funds necessary to do this, the agreement requires a multifaceted approach that includes federal appropriations, philanthropy, financing, and new revenue streams to repay the debt. With this in mind, paid parking was established at Fort Mason Center will commence May 2006.

Here are some of the more frequently asked questions with regard to that decision.

Why paid parking?
The need to repair the buildings is urgent, particularly Pier Two. If that building becomes unusable, then a major historic structure will be compromised and a significant revenue source will be lost. This would have a major impact on FMC as a whole. Instituting some form of paid parking is an equitable approach to new revenue because everyone who uses the center shares in the cost to preserve the buildings and therefore continue FMC's programs. Paid parking satisfies the need for increased revenue and satisfies the terms imposed by lending institutions.

Where does the parking money go?
Net income will stay at FMC. There are no stockholders. The money is reinvested in the buildings, making them safe, sound, and presentable as well as ensuring that current programming continues.

Why not raise the rental fees for the venues?
For-profit corporations currently pay the market rate. Increasing the fees will drive them to other venues. The fees from these programs subsidize the rental fees charged to the nonprofit community. Without that revenue, nonprofit rental fees would have to be increased significantly. In any case, this approach, because of its economic risks, would not satisfy the financial institution's loan criteria.

Would it be easier to simply raise rents for residents?
Spreading out the cost to finance the preservation of Pier Two and subsequently the other buildings and piers among 30 nonprofit resident organizations would require an immense increase. The other difficulty is that it would not necessarily rule out additional rent increases should general operating expenses rise as a result of changing economic conditions.

How were parking rates determined?
They were created with criteria that was geared to minimize the financial impact on individuals and organizations, yet achieve the financial goal. Since we first presented the formal recommendations, we have received comments and suggestions, including ways that might lessen the impact on students and volunteers. Based on those suggestions we have included discounted parking for resident organizations to pass on to those who need it. We continue to listen. In the final analysis, it is clear that parking costs will be comparable to or less than other nonprofit, public use facilities.

What are the alternatives for those who currently work or volunteer at FMC?
San Francisco Muni provides several lines that stop within walking distance of FMC — the 22 Fillmore, 47 Van Ness, 49 Van Ness/Mission, 30 Stockton, 82x Presidio, and the 28 19th Avenue. Car pooling, ride sharing, and cycling are options we encourage as well.

Were the concerns of FMC residents and users considered with regard to the parking plan?
FMF announced its intent to institute paid parking in 1999 and commissioned a study by a consulting firm with expertise in parking systems. More recently, as FMF and the National Park Service (NPS) entered into lease negotiations and new preservation responsibilities, parking again became an issue. The NPS conducted a public environmental assessment in connection with lease negotiations. Paid parking was included in the assessment. After public and regulatory reviews, it was concluded that the assessment contained no significant impact. The Foundation again retained the parking consultants. Every resident organization and numerous vendors and event producers were notified of the change and surveyed. Many of the resident organizations met personally with FMF‘s Director of Operations for discussion and feedback. FMF continues to meet with its residents and others as the plan is implemented. Much of the input we received has been incorporated into the plan.