Learn about the paid parking plan for the proposed ferry terminal and how it would affect all waterfront visitors, tenants and berthholders if the plan goes through.  

Meet South Cove West lot Tuesday May 26 at 6 PM  at southwest corner of South Cove West parking lot (near Adventure Playground) along the new sidewalk and bioswale on south side.  If you are able, print out your own copy of the plan, and bring pens/pencils/highlighters and questions.  

Plan found here: 

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/our-work/capital-projects/berkeley-pier-ferry-access-project

Scroll down for more info on the ferry plan

BWCC seeks to create awareness of the diverse new and historical recreation opportunities at the Berkeley waterfront.  Did you know that: 

• In 2025, cell phone mobility data shows that 677,800 people visited the marina.  That's over 1800 visits a day. 

• The catchment area for visitors goes well beyond Berkeley, into Richmond and Oakland, and beyond. The waterfront is a regional resource for recreation, especially as inland residents seek escape from the heat. 

• More than 50% of Berkeley visitors are over 50 (city survey data). 

• Walking, boating and dogwalking are the most popular reasons to visit. 

• Fishers travel on average 24 miles one way to come to Berkeley shoreline to fish from Seawall Drive (survey data from this study).

• Four nonprofits - Pegasus Project, Cal Sailing Club, Blue Water Foundation, Berkeley racing Canoe Center - in 2020 contributed $354,500 in public services in exchange for $40,863 in berth value (88% return on investment) under the berth fee waiver program for nonprofits. 

WETA-Berkeley Ferry Plan

Our current major concern with the access to the waterfront is the WETA proposal for a ferry terminal at the pier.  We think the plan as proposed displaces waterfront recreational visitor access with commuter parking lots and appears to be an inefficient transit option, with costly impacts to the City of Berkeley.  The plan replaces the existing 3000' pier with a 580' pier and ferry terminal (see Jack London terminal for general idea) and a breakwater.  The city says it will provide the money to extend the pier another 500' if feasible.  In May 2025, BWCC submitted this scoping document on the project.  

In February, the city posted the project's Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), prepared by Rincon Consultants, posted on this page.  The DEIR is a very technical document.  But we slogged through it and submitted this public comment:

Click here to read BWCC's response to the Draft Environmental Impact Report

We found it woefully inadequate and don't think it fulfills California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements. BWCC calls for a re-do of analysis, provide missing details of the project and consider more economically feasible alternatives, e.g. smaller-scale ferry leaving from the marina like the former Tidelines ferries and/or a recreation-only pier. 

Quick overview: 

• Will the city use the reduced use of waterfront caused by pier closure and parking lot closures as baseline for calculating impacts? YES.  They bundled recreational infrastructure projects already in pipeline with the ferry plan DEIR. 

• Will alternative plans for a rec-only pier or in-marina ferry terminal be entertained? NO. They gave short shrift to any other options except for WETA-friendly options.  

• What evidence is there of "secondary benefits" of this plan? LITTLE. One consultant gave a lukewarm shot-in-the-dark estimate of 10% increase in leaseholder tax receipts from city. 

• Is there evidence that this is an environmentally friendly transit option? NO!  The new terminal increases Vehicle Miles Traveled overall and traffic in the waterfront.  GHG emissions analysis was airy on details, let's just say.

• Will fish, bird, whales and harbor porpoise be affected by new and ongoing major dredging and 28 high-speed ferry crossings per day?  Of course!  

• Will the city charge parking to all waterfront users to make space for the estimated ~400 ferry riders needing to park? YES

• Is opposition to the WETA plan only about wanting free parking?  NO. See another example where city managers didn't get it right for cherished public spaces: https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/san-diego-parking-21336558.php

• Could this plan just be setting the city up to just build a ferry terminal and ferry pier with no recreational extension?  POSSIBLY.  A fiscal risk exists and you get to pay for it. 

Here's more:  FAQs on ferry plan  

A Berkeley Partners for Parks affiliate

Donations to BWCC can be sent to Berkeley Partners for Parks, PO Box 12521, Berkeley, CA 94712.  Please make check payable to Berkeley Partners for Parks and be sure to put "Berkeley Waterfront Community Coalition" in the memo field of the check.