SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A plan for the City to take over and manage the Music Concourse Garage is moving forward this week, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today.
Under the proposal, Rec and Park would take ownership of the 800-space underground parking facility, while the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority (SFMTA) would manage its operation. The garage is currently leased to and operated by the nonprofit Music Concourse Community Partnership (MCCP) and serves visitors to Golden Gate Park and its cultural institutions, such as the California Academy of Sciences, de Young Museum, Botanical Garden and Japanese Tea Garden. The transfer is a key element of the Golden Gate Park Access and Safety Program and aims to ensure efficient operations and transparency while expanding access.
On Tuesday, the SFMTA Board will vote to add the Music Concourse Garage to its existing contract with garage operators. On Thursday, the Recreation and Park Commission’s Operations Committee will consider Rec and Park’s potential acquisition. The matter will then go to the full Recreation and Park Commission before moving on to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for final approval.
Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition.
“This transfer will secure efficient and professional management of the Music Concourse Garage and allow us to implement policies to expand access for all,” he said.
The Music Concourse Garage was approved by voters in 1998 through Proposition J and required the garage to be built without public funds. The resulting garage was constructed through a combination of philanthropy and bonds.
In 2022, San Francisco voters approved Proposition N, allowing the City to use public funds to acquire the garage. Proponents of the measure argued that taking ownership would allow flexibility in setting parking rates to ensure low income-families and people with disabilities have access to the park.
“The SFMTA looks forward to working collaboratively with the Recreation and Park Department, the museums and all other groups who regularly use Golden Gate Park to develop a suite of on-street and off-street parking policies and programs that promote efficient and equitable access for all,” said SFMTA Acting Streets Director Ted Graff.
The Golden Gate Park Access and Safety Program made permanent the 3-mile stretch of car-free streets in the park from Lincoln Way to Kezar Drive, including JFK Drive. Since its closure to vehicular traffic in April of 2020, the JFK Promenade has seen 12.6 million visits, establishing it as San Francisco's most frequented open space. Once on the City’s high injury network, the street has transformed into a vibrant hub for interactive art, cycling, walking, dancing, and rolling. The pedestrian-friendly oasis has been enhanced with dozens of accessibility upgrades through Rec and Park and SFMTA, as well as a free shuttle, public pianos, seating areas, lawn games and live music.
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