Parking FAQs

The NYSRide-Edenred parking benefit plan recently expanded to have pre-tax payroll deductions for your Downstate Monthly Parking. Once you receive your Edenred debit card and have sufficient funds in your Edenred account to pay your next Monthly parking invoice (1st day of each month), you can then update/edit your Downstate Parking Portal Payment Method card details to your Edenred debit card. See more detail (link).

Daily parking at $12/day at the 324 Winthrop St lot continues for the first 100 Daily customers, subject to lot capacity. You must be a Downstate ID card holder or have a document for scheduled on-campus event/mtg/work.

more detail on Daily Parking webpage (link) 

New Customer for Monthly Parking: 

Review the Downstate Parking lot Summary (link- includes hours, rates and est waitlist timeframes). lot map and lot details for each parking location (hours, rate), then follow

New Customers for Monthly Parking Instructions-Process (link)

Monthly invoices are posted to your portal account and payment is due on 1^st day of each month on a full month basis. First day to last day of each month and is not pro-rated. Log into your portal account, Click on the "PAY Now" button to add your payment method (credit card or bank account). Cash only payments will be accepted at the Bookstore.

See more details on Monthly Parking webpage (link). 

If you encounter failures when entering your Payment Method, See Payment Tips

Automatic Payments: The most convenient method is to add a credit/debit card or bank account ("eChecks" - things you need to know) in your Downstate Monthly Parking Customer Portal account (login link) and enable Automatic Monthly Payments (instructions link).

If your automatic payment is declined (fails), see more detail.

Payment must be received by 15^th day of each month. If unpaid by 15^th day, your monthly parking subscription will be automatically cancelled for non-payment and you will lose your parking seniority and privileges. You remain responsible for payment of the unpaid invoice. More detail Automatic Cancellation for Non-Payment 

Same instructions posted on Monthly Parking webpage (link).

To edit (replace) your current Payment Method:

1) LOG into your Downstate Customer Parking Portal (link). Forgot your parking portal password? Just follow the 'forgot password' link on the login page to reset your password.

2) Once logged in, next to the My Details section, click on View More link. In the Payment Details section, then click on the "edit" button (pencil or gear icon) next to the Payment Method (card) you wish to update, then enter your new card details - be sure the billing address you enter for that card matches the card provider’s billing address for that card. This will remove your old card details and replace it with your new card detail you entered for the next and future monthly invoices posted to your portal. You can do this as often as you desire.

If paying an past outstanding invoice, you need to invoke the payment of that invoice on the new card you enter.

If you have older cards or bank accounts that are no longer valid on your parking portal and wish to remove, send us an email (use this link) and specify which one(s) you seek to delete.

• To add a new additional payment method (i.e. keeping your existing method on your parking portal), send an email to Parking@downstate.edu. A direct portal link will be returned via email to you which will allow you to ADD a new Payment Method.
• If you use the "Pay Now" button on an invoice you owe, the new Card or eCheck account you enter will update your payment method only if you check the box for future AutoCharge payments.
• Having a payment method on your portal allows you to pay monthly invoices without you having to re-enter all the card information for every monthly payment. It also allows you to enable (turn on; online) or disable (turn off; offline) automatic payments ("AutoCharge") whenever you choose.

Having trouble entering your payment method (failures-errors)? See Most Common Tips (link)

NYSRide-Edenred mass transit commuter program pre-tax payroll deduction debit card programs: See more detail (link).

If your automatic payment is declined (fails), see more detail (link).

To Enable(Start) or Disable(Stop) your Automatic Monthly Payments, aka "Auto-Charge" or "Online" payments:

1. Log into your Downstate Customer Parking Portal (link). If you've forgotten your parking portal password, you can follow the "forgot password" link on the login page to reset your password.

2. In the far left column click on "Subscriptions" tab. Your current subscription parking lot location will have a green "live" status (any and all your past subscriptions also appear in the list). 

3. Click on the current "live" subscription lot name (it’s a hyperlink). The display will include a “Payment Method” section with your current payment method as well as the applicable link below it to either enable, or disable automatic future invoice payments:

• If you are NOT currently on Auto-charge, the displayed link "Enable” Auto-charge will appear. Click on it to turn it ON. If you have Multiple Payment methods on your portal, it will display them and allow you to select your desired method. 
• If you are currently ON Auto-charge, the displayed link "Disable” Auto-charge will appear- click on it to turn it OFF.

See more detail (link).

Reminder: If you had previously been Autocancelled for Non-Payment and then reinstated (link), you are REQUIRED to enable and maintain automatic payments, due on 1st of each month.

Once you disable AutoCharge, you must login and make individual monthly invoice payments. If not paid by 15^th day of each month, you are AutoCancelled for non-payment and lose all Downstate Parking privileges.

All MONTHLY parkers at all parking lots must establish an online Monthly Parking Customer Portal account . This is the only way that your assigned parking sticker and paid status is recognized when your sticker is scanning upon entry at the parking parking lots. See: Monthly Parking Portal Set Up Instructions

Notify the Parking Office as soon as possible; You Must send email to Parking@downstate.edu before the start of the next monthly cycle (before the 1^st day of next month). This is essential in order to offer it to next waiting person at the start of the next monthly billing cycle. Monthly rates are not pro-rated; Parking is on a full month basis, 1^st of the month to the last day of the month. Link to more detail.

If assigned at KCH locations (581Clarkson Garage or 600 Albany Ave lot), you MUST return your KCH Access Card to the Downstate Parking Office to avoid being charged a $30 access card fee.

If your status changes (separations, official HR approved Leaves of Absence, etc.) Monthly rates are not pro-rated. Parking is on a full, 1^st of the month to the last day of the month. Parkers on extended leave of absence (verified by the applicable Human Resources Office), may request suspension of their parking access for an applicable future full month. See more detail on LOA process.

Parking Lot Transfer Requests are made to Parking@Downstate.edu and subject to desired lot availability (more info lot transfer link)

If you are automatically cancelled for non-payment on 15^th of month, you remain responsible for the current month monthly payment and you lose your prior parking seniority and monthly parking privileges. Once your outstanding past due invoice payment is received, you will be restored ONLY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THAT CURRENT MONTH. Must read More detail link.

If assigned at KCH locations (581Clarkson Garage or 600 Albany Ave lot), you MUST return your KCH Access Card to the Downstate Parking Office to avoid being charged a $30 access card fee.

Per centerwide announcement (link), parker payments MUST remain current and continuous to retain ongoing monthly parking privileges each month even if away from campus. Monthly rates are not pro-rated. The annual parking expense is divided into 12 equal monthly installments, and monthly parking is on a month-to-month basis, 1^st of the month to the last day of the month. All parkers have the option of canceling their monthly parking during a prolonged absence (cancellation process link). However, once cancelled, you lose your parking seniority date and if you desire future monthly parking upon return to campus, you must add your name to the Monthly Parking Wait List; send email to Parkingwait-list@downstate.edu.

The sole exception is for parkers on an extended leave of absence (LOA), eligibility and verified by the applicable Human Resources Office. Parker must notify the Parking Office (email link) to request suspension their future monthly parking payments during the applicable full month(s). Link to more LOA details.

There are no reserved spots at any of the parking locations. Parking assignments will solely provide parking privileges at the specified location, and remain subject to daily lot capacity.

Monthly parkers who arrive at their assigned lot when there are no available self-parking spaces available (capacity): An earlier lot entry time does help you avoid the circumstance. The lot attendant will offer you the option to:

• Leave your car keys (valet style park); a no-charge claim check ticket is issued to you … so that your vehicle can be moved within the lot if blocking other vehicles that need to leave before you.
• Direct you to an available alternate lot location.

Contact Nicole Sharpe in Human Resources at x3025 or at nicole.sharpe@downstate.edu to discuss your potential eligibility.

Employees working evening/overnight shifts who have monthly parking privileges should request either of the following 24/7 locations: 581 Clarkson Avenue (covered garage) or 600 Albany Avenue (surface lot). 

Be sure that you designate one or both of those lots as you first preference selections when Requesting Monthly Parking (instructions link).

These lots are accessed by the KCH key card you will receive and your entry/exit will provide your needed time flexibility.

Employees who currently reside at 440 Lenox Road and who currently have monthly parking privileges will be offered the opportunity to park at the 600 Albany Avenue (uncovered surface lot) or 581 Clarkson (covered lot) both with 24/7 access, subject to availability.

When you accept your monthly parking portal account, you accept the parking terms and conditions, and establish your payment method, then obtain your parking sticker (and KCH lot access card, if applicable) from the Downstate Parking Office (link). You can then begin to park in your assigned parking location.

The parking sticker you receive from the Downstate Parking Office (link) is to be permanently affixed on the inside of the rear driver’s side window.

If a vehicle has a no rear drivers side window, or has very dark tinting that obstructs the ability to scan the sticker, it can be placed in an alternate location viewable to attendants. If on a windshield, it must not obstruct the driver's view. If on the back window, be sure it is not placed on any glass heating elements (defroster) wires that obstruct a clear scan of the bar code. If unsure, ASK a lot attendant for guidance.

A sticker can never be moved and re-applied between different vehicles—it must remain on the vehicle to which it is assigned and registered with at the Downstate Parking Office (link). Re-applying the sticker between vehicles will cause its bar code scan to eventually fail. When you enter a lot, your license plate as well as your sticker is scanned and MUST MATCH the vehicle record on your parking portal.

If you lost your sticker, or it’s chronically failing, a replacement sticker can be obtained at the Downstate Parking Office (link) 

If/when you obtain a new replacement vehicle, or change license plates, you need to update your parking portal account vehicle details.

1. LOG into your Downstate Customer Parking Portal (link). Forgot your parking portal password? Just follow the 'forgot password' link on the login page to re-set your password. 
2. Once logged in, next to the My Details section, click on View More link. In the Account Details section, click on the "edit" button (pencil icon) to the right of your name to edit you vehicle details or any other field that needs update. 

• • If the vehicle has changed, you need to obtain a new sticker for it from the Downstate Parking Office (link has location and contact info). 
  • If it was just a plate change on your prior vehicle, a new sticker is NOT needed.

If assigned to any KCH Parking location, it also requires you to have a KCH Access Card. Your KCH Access Card can be used with any vehicle that is on your parking portal account; but can park only one vehicle at any given day/time. If you lose or damage your KCH Access card, or fail to return your card when your subscription ends, you will need to pay a card replacement fee.

See Monthly Parking Sticker Scan errors- Causes and Action Needed (link)

If/when you obtain a new additional or replacement vehicle, or a change in your vehicle's license plates, you need to FIRST update your parking portal account vehicle details by:

1. Log into your Monthly Parking Customer Portal Account (link). Forgot your parking portal password? Just follow the "forgot password" link on the login page to reset your password.
2. In the “My Details" section, click on "View More" link, then click on the edit (pencil icon) to the right of your name. You can then edit the vehicle, add additional vehicle details, or edit any other profile details.

If the vehicle has changed, you then need to obtain a new sticker for it from the Downstate Parking Office (link includes location + hours). If it was just a plate change on your prior vehicle, a new sticker is NOT needed.

A sticker can never be moved and re-applied between different vehicles—it must remain on the vehicle to which it is assigned and registered with at the Downstate Parking Office (link includes location, hours and contact). When you enter a lot, your license plate is scanned as well as your sticker and MUST MATCH the record on your parking portal. 

At KCH Locations (581 Clarkson garage and 600 Albany lot), your assigned KCH access card will not change and that card can be used to access the KCH lot.

If you have more than one vehicle in your household that you will use frequently, you can add up to a total of 3 vehicles on your parking record by

1. Log into your Monthly Parking Customer Portal Account (link). Forgot your parking portal password? Just follow the "forgot password" link on the login page to reset your password
2. In the “My Details" section, click on "View More" link, then click on the edit (pencil icon) to the right of your name. You can then add additional vehicle details or edit any other profile details. Be sure to complete all vehicle fields. An additional sticker for that vehicle can be obtained from the Downstate Parking Office (link has location and contact info). You must show the vehicle registration document to receive additional sticker(s).

A sticker can never be moved and re-applied between different vehicles—it must remain on the vehicle to which it is assigned and registered with the Downstate Parking Office

At KCH Locations, your assigned KCH access card can be used to access the KCH lot with any of your vehicles (only 1 vehicle per day).

When you occasionally/rarely use a different vehicle (alternate, rental or loaner during repair, etc) for a short period of time, an additional sticker is NOT needed. The lot attendants are able to look up your paid subscription by your name and Downstate ID Card # to view your Monthly Parking status and record your entry/exit. You are permitted to park only one vehicle at any given day/time.

A sticker can never be moved and re-applied between different vehicles—it must remain on the vehicle to which it is assigned and registered with at the Downstate Parking Office (link includes location, hours and contact)

Yes, Downstate monthly parkers assigned to KCH locations require a separate access card (in addition to the Downstate Parking sticker) to enter/exit these KCH locations. Your initial KCH Access Card is issued only by the Downstate Parking Office (link has location,hours). You can NOT share your KCH access card with another individual; it must match the Downstate Monthly Parking customer and vehicle(s) to which it was assigned and issued to. Your KCH Access Card can be used with any vehicle that is on your parking portal account; but can park only one vehicle at any given day/time.

KCH Access Card Replacement: Send Card Replacement Request email (link). Customer can return old card and pick up new card at Downstate Parking Office (link has location,hours). Customer will be billed the lost card replacement fee ($30) on their Parking Portal account for payment. There is no fee to replace a malfunctioning card when old card is returned. 

If and when you STOP your KCH location monthly parking, you must return your KCH Access Card to the Downstate Parking Office or pay the lost card replacement fee.

If you are an employee who is “on call” for any period of your work day and you are “called in” to work because of an emergency during the late evenings, overnight and/or weekends or holidays, Your department head can make arrangements with University Police for your to park at a designated location and if approved will advise you, at those times, on the protocol to be followed.

A very few GME residency/fellowship programs have established parking plans pre-authorized by the Parking Office for on-call residents/ fellows; check with your GME program administrator.

Monthly parkers (all lots) who arrive at their assigned lot when there are no available self-parking spaces available (capacity), the parking attendant may be able to offer the option to park at another avaiable location, or to leave your car keys (valet style parking) so that attendants can move your vehicle during the day when blocking other vehicles that need to leave. A no-charge claim check ticket will be issued to you. 

This is done to maximize the numbers of cars in each lot/garage until its maximum capacity is reached. 

Front Door Valet Service is discontinued after 7/8/22 due to low customer demand; See more detail at Valet Parking (link).

Yes, see details at Daily Parking (link). 

Yes, the campus shuttle makes stops at all parking locations and subway transportation hubs. See details including the available smartphone "App" that you can track its estimated arrival at Transportation and Shuttle Services (link).

 

Your pre-tax commuter plan debit card is currently NOT able to be programmed as your parking portal Payment method.

[Update May 2023] Previously, in SUNY’s NYS Ride-Edenred (payroll deduction) program, Downstate parking lots were ineligible since they are not directly associated as mass transit related commuting expenses. However, recent announcements indicate this program is expanding to include Downstate's Parking lots as a eligible locations. starting in June 2023. If you signed up for a payroll deductions in NYS Ride (Edenred) program parking expenses , you may not be able to program your Edenred debit card as a Payment Method on your Downstate Parking Portal until after June 1, 2023. See more detail (link).

Email Parking@downstate.edu as soon as possible and before the start of the next monthly cycle (1st of each month); See more detail (link)

Timely notification is essential in order to offer your monthly parking to other waiting persons at the start of the next monthly billing cycle. Monthly rates are not pro-rated (1^st day to last day of each month). 

If assigned at KCH locations (581 Clarkson Garage or 600 Albany Ave lot), you MUST return your KCH Access Card to the Downstate Parking Office to avoid being charged a $30 access card fee.

When parking becomes available, you will be contacted by the Downstate Parking Office.

It is imperative that you regularly check your Downstate email as this is the only method you will be contacted at. If you are offered a monthly parking lot assignment and you do not respond or accept the offer by the deadline given, your anme is removed from the wait-list and you need to re-apply to the bottom of the wait list.

To sign up on the wait-list, see Wait List instructions (link)

Contact the Parking Office to inquire on your current position on the wait-list.

See instructions Parking Wait List

No, you cannot share your parking privileges with another eligible Downstate parker unless parties are within your household; vehicle registration must be shown at sticker issuance.

Yes, you can carpool, but you cannot share Monthly Parking privileges. A current Monthly Parker carpooling with another eligible Monthly Parker can add up to 2 additional vehicles on their parking portal. The primary authorized monthly parking customer must be in the vehicle entering the assigned lot and remains responsible for all monthly parking costs. 

Carpoolers who are not the primary Monthly Parking customer are eligible to instead use Daily Parking at 324 Winthrop St. when the primary Monthly Parking customer is not present in the vehicle upon lot entry.

Yes, the Zipcar is available for use by the campus community. It is located at the Kings County Hospital Garage, 581 Clarkson Avenue. See more Zipcar detail (link).

Bicycle racks are located at the Student Center, in the 329 Clarkson Avenue garage and at the 450 Clarkson Avenue entrance.

Employees with monthly parking privileges who currently have Downstate HR issued ADA parking accommodations will be given priority for parking before the general parking wait-list population.

The best method of contacting the Parking Office is by emailing parking@downstate.edu. You can also call the Parking Hotline at (718) 270-3030 and leave a message. Be sure to include all your contact information. 

All current Monthly Parkers will receive an eMail on July 24, 2024 with your resulting parking assignment and will be sent via eMail to your eMail address on file with the Parking Office. Your resulting lot assignment will become effective on Thursday August 1, 2024.

The eMail was sent "FROM=  ParkingAssignment <ParkingAssignment@downstate.edu> with Subject = IMPORTANT – Parking Assignment Starting August 1, 2024" , sent to the address on your Downstate Parking Portal. If you're unable to find it, we suggest you search your 'spam / junk' as well as your 'deleted' eMail folders.

Your lot reassignment has already been programmed to be effective 8/1/2024. No action is needed.

You can request FUTURE lot transfers by following the Monthly Parking Lot Transfers-Instructions (link). As lot vacancies occur, continuing monthly parking customers on the Lot Transfer waitlist are processed first - before those on the new customer waitlist.

If you wish to cancel your monthly parking as a result of your lot reassignment determined in this survey process, you need to do so prior to 8/1/24.  See Instructions to CANCEL your monthly parking (link).  If you choose to  cancel effective 8/1/24, you can in the future re-apply as a new customer; see New Customers for Monthly Parking Instructions-Process (link)”.

You remain eligible to use Daily Parking as needed, or until you successfully obtain future Monthly Parking: See Daily Parking (link)

If you desire Monthly parking in the future, you need to re-apply for Monthly Parking as a new customer: See New Customers Requesting Monthly Parking-Instructions (link)

All employees and students who have monthly parking managed through the Downstate Parking Office as of 6/10/24 were sent a parking preference questionnaire on 6/12/24 to the email address on file with your monthly parking portal account. The questionnaire deadline for response is Friday, June 28, 2024. Highly recommended that you take the survey-questionnaire ON A desktop COMPUTER OR LATOP (some smartphones will not allow you to move your lot preferences).

A parking seniority date—the date on file when an individual has since maintained continuous monthly parking privileges will also be included with the questionnaire. The parking seniority date and the lot preference sequence that you submit will be used to determine the new parking reassignments. Those who have had continuous monthly parking privileges longer will receive preferred parking assignments prior to those with more current parking seniority dates. Parking seniority dates are based on when a person received monthly parking privileges and maintained continuous monthly payments, not when they placed their name on the wait list for monthly parking and is not the date you began Downstate employment or academic enrollment.

Anyone who has had a lapse in monthly parking (except those during a Human Resources-approved leave) will have a parking seniority date based on the approval date of their most recent monthly parking privileges.

The parking questionnaire was sent at approximately 4:30pm on June 12, 2024. The subject of the email was Parking Preferences Survey and came from the Parking Office <noreply@qemailserver.com>. The non-Downstate address reflects that it contains a link to the questionnaire. Also check your eMail spam or junk mail folders. If you did not receive this message and currently have monthly parking privileges through Downstate, please send an e-mail to ParkingSurvey@downstate.edu.

Yes. If you do not respond to the parking questionnaire, you will lose your monthly parking privileges effective 8/1/24.

Once you arrive at the summary of responses page where there is a thank you message at the top and you can print a PDF of your questionnaire responses, you know that your responses have been received. If you have a question as to whether your responses were received, please send an email to parkingsurvey@downstate.edu for confirmation.

If you do not respond to the parking questionnaire by the deadline, it will be assumed that you are no longer interested in obtaining monthly parking through Downstate and you will forfeit your parking privileges. Parkers who are on a Human Resources-approved extended leave of absence will be contacted directly.