In defending his Fifth & Forbes retail project proposal, Murphy said Monday that "We have an approach that will bring a half-billion dollars in investments, including a Nordstrom's department store."

However, when contacted by Ingram on Tuesday, a Nordstrom spokesman said that the store has no plans to move into Pittsburgh and that there haven't been any agreements signed.

The store's Web site reports that the chain will open 44 new stores across the country between now and 2003. Pittsburgh isn't listed.

The spokesman did admit that the company would like a store in Pittsburgh, but it will not build one unless there are other successful stores surrounding it.

Murphy's spokesman Doug Root said that there have been many meetings between the city and Nordstrom

He said that negotiations are going well and officials are hopeful that there will be an agreement.

Previous Stories:

• June 26, 2000: Downtown Plan Attracts National Attention
• June 20, 2000: Murphy Opposition To Post Billboards
• April 17, 2000: Murphy Offers New Fifth & Forbes Plan
• April 6, 2000: Marino Throws Support To Mayor Murphy
• March 29, 2000: Group Pushes Plan Online
• March 29, 2000: Alternative Downtown Proposal Introduced
• March 24, 2000: Task Force Tackles Fifth And Forbes
• March 4, 2000: Fifth And Forbes Forum Held
• March 2, 2000: Group Protests Fifth And Forbes Plan
• February 23, 2000: Councilman Says Fifth & Forbes Is OK...Maybe
• February 3, 2000: Fifth And Forbes Alternative Presented
• January 28, 2000: Developer Willing To Revise Plan