Federated may build the store that Pittsburgh wants: Macy's. (Federated Department Stores Inc.)

Glitzy plans for Downtown store lead experts to suspect switch

DOWNTOWN - Despite closing its doors here last December, Lazarus pledged to reemerge in 1998 as yet another Lazarus.

But now, many are asking: Will Lazarus come back as Macy's instead?

That's the answer Downtown development advocates and city officials want from the big national retailer.

"I think they would be a lot better off with a Macy's sign on the front door," said Errol Frailey, president of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, a nonprofit that promotes the central business district.

Mr. Frailey may get his wish.

Sources who have seen architect's preliminary drawings for the 250,000-square-foot store said the exterior looks nothing like a plain Jane Lazarus.

Instead, it resembles a more architecturally friendly Macy's, with lots of windows and plenty of glitz and glamour.

"It looks exciting," said one source familiar …