UPDATE:  Published reports say that Whole Foods has settled its dispute with the developer and will open the store at the Interbay site later this year.  It will be smaller than originally planned and Whole Foods will find another retailer to take over the extra space.  They will be searching for a retailer who wants the 20,000 square feet that Whole Foods no longer wants.  The Interbay store will be 36,000 square feet, which is smaller than the Whole Foods in South Lake Union.

There is a big announcement regarding the the Interbay Urban Center set for Tuesday (Jan 27) at 10a.m.  This is the retail center on 15th Ave West where construction stopped on the Whole Foods Market after a battle between the developer and Whole Foods led to a lawsuit. 

Representatives from developer TRF Pacific are telling us that they will share future plans for the currently vacent retail center tomorrow but won’t give up any further details until the announcement. 

It is a likely bet they have good news to report or they would not be holding a news conference.  Speculation is that a deal has been worked out for Whole Foods to decrease the square footage for the store and another retailer will take over the extra space.  The fact that they will be unfurling a 16 foot banner at the announcement makes us think that they likely have another retailer on board and hopefully an opening date for Whole Foods.

Magnolia Voice was the first to report last September that the Whole Foods project at Interbay was in trouble when TRF filed suit against Whole Foods for breaching the lease.  Whole Foods was originally set to open last Thanksgiving but construction on the site stopped completely in September.  Two other retailers, Subway and Interbay Cleaners, have space in the center but don’t plan to open until they know what is going on with the main tenants.  Pete’s Coffee was also expected to open there. 

In our most recent report a few weeks ago,  Magnolia Voice reader Adam shared this information in comments:

I also know that Whole Foods will be occupying that space in the smaller format come late summer. I work for another national retailer that has agreed to occupy the 20k or so sq ft that Whole Foods didn’t want. I know that everyone has been tight liped about it all because of thw lawsuit and negotiations. I am hearing that it will all be settled and announced by the end of Jan.

 Looks like Adam may be right.  We will be at the announcement tomorrow to bring you the latest details.