Not much in Oakland has survived since 1930, so it’s hard to believe that a family-owned and operated, Oakland-based company not only thrives to this day, but has since expanded into eight other states!
Douglas Parking, the ubiquitous blue “P” seen on signs from Walnut Creek to San Mateo, with the vast majority in downtown Oakland, has been in the Douglas family since Sanford Douglas started it way back then. The Unity Council and Douglas Parking became partners back in the early days of the Fruitvale Transit Village, when we searched for a vendor for our newly built parking lots next to the BART station. It made sense to partner with a locally-owned business, and to find one with a history longer than The Unity Council’s was a surprise and a selling point.
The relationship between the organizations has been positive from the get-go. Not only are the business services provided by Douglas Parking – including shuttle, valet, and secured lots – unparalleled, but they have always shown themselves to be a loyal and committed member of the community through their charitable giving. This year, Douglas Parking is donating $5,000 to the organization for East Bay Gives. “We believe we have a responsibility to hire locally and give back where we can,” said David Douglas, who (along with his father and brother) is a Partner of the company.
Douglas Parking immediately had to overcome the challenges of the Great Depression throughout its first decade, but then has continued to show positive growth in the eight decades since. “It’s really all due to Leland Douglas, and his sons David and Steve, who continue to give the personal touch to every client and in every contract, to this day,” says Bryan Moss, the Director of Business Development at Douglas Parking. Their commitment to Oakland is unwavering: they continue to headquarter their multi-state business operations out of one of their original buildings on Webster street right downtown.
The Unity Council could not fulfill our Mission to the community without the outstanding leadership of partners like Douglas Parking. Your donation on May 4th will be virtually matched by the generosity of this local business leader. Donate Here.
