Starbucks Coffee expected to move to Main Gate area

Arizona Daily Wildcat Charles Jackson

The store is due to begin construction in about 60 days.

That improved business comes thanks to new stores and a new look according to Charles Jackson, president of the Marshall Foundation, a nonprofit organization that owns most of the area's property.

"Our reports are that the shops that are open are ahead of their expectations," Jackson said.

The foundation recently remodeled much of its property and attracted corporate stores like The Gap and The Coffee Plantation to East University Boulevard.

He added that some businesses have reported a 40 percent increase in sales since the opening of the Marriott University Park, 880 E. Second St.

Jackson, who became president in April when former head John Molloy retired, said he is happy with the area's progress and believes the foundation will see revenue increase.

The foundation's plan for Main Gate is about one-third complete and was designed to revitalize the area, Jackson said.

Foundation spokesman Don Semro said they are also trying to find a use for the former Arid Lands Building at the corner of East Second Street and North Park Avenue.

Semro said there are no set plans, but the building likely will be razed.

One plan is to construct a movie theater complex with five or more screens and stadium-style seating, Semro said.

Jackson is a 12-year veteran of the foundation board and has lived in Tucson since 1961.

He said he always wanted to give back to the community, which was his primary motivation for joining the Marshall Foundation.

He joked that Jim Click once said, "Chuck, I need takers on my committee not givers - you are a giver."

He puts in about 40 hours a month at the foundation, where he works for free like all of the board members. He is also senior vice president of Stewart Title and Trust of Tucson.

The Foundation consists of about 10 other employees, including a small maintenance crew and office staff.

Aside from Jackson, one board member is a retired banker, another is a senior stock broker and the other is a UA student.

The foundation always has one UA student on the board to keep it "in tune with the university," Jackson said.

According to its mission statement, the foundation is to provide support to the local community, specifically to the UA.

About half of its profits go to the UA while the other half are divided among Pima County educational organizations and various charities, he said.

Last fiscal year the foundation donated $398,000 to local charities and hopes the revitalization of the main gate area will bring in more revenue -æand therefore increasing funds for charities.

"The intent is to increase revenue available to the foundation," Semro said

He added there are still a number of spaces available in the Main Gate area that have not been rented. Semro said he hopes to have leases for most by January.