Founding Principle
Public parking is a support service to the users of downtown Buffalo, and as such, should complement the occupancy, usage and fiscal viability of the City.

Mission
In support of the Founding Principal, BCAR exists as a corporation owned and operated by downtown business interests on a non-profit basis with a board composed of major downtown stakeholders that oversee the long-term direction and day-to-day management of major downtown public parking facilities. Working in partnership with the City of Buffalo, BCAR provides an adequate supply of the highest quality public parking at the most reasonable cost to the consumer.

BCAR pays all debt service on City parking bonds, including bonds for ramps under construction and ramps demolished. [Pursuant to the Article 8 of the Constitution of the State of New York and Section 123 of the Local Finance Law, the City may exclude 100% of the principal amount of outstanding bonds issued for construction of public parking facilities it having been shown that net revenues of the facilities are sufficient to pay all debt service on the respective issues. Therefore the capital indebtedness for parking purposes is ‘exempt’ debt and excluded in the overall City indebtedness because it is ‘self sustaining’ debt. If BCAR has any surplus revenues after paying all debt service and operating costs, the surplus goes to City-held reserves for future parking system use. Rate changes are subject to the approval of both BCAR and the City. This relationship has been tested over multi-year period, beginning in 1954.