Edmonton city council has narrowly voted down the controversial $750,000 leaning glass pyramid that was to have been built in northeast Edmonton as a new welcome sign to the city.

Councillors debated back and forth Wednesday, but in the end defeated the idea by a 6-5 vote.

The massive glass and steel structure won a national design contest and was to replace the "Welcome to Edmonton" sign on Highway 16 near the bridge over the North Saskatchewan River.

But councillors who voted against it didn't like the spiralling cost or the look of the project.

The pyramid would have been in Coun. Tony Caterina's ward, and he voted against it because residents see it is an unwanted frill.

"The residents of Ward 3, they’re not looking for dessert; they’ve been going without dinner for years. They have not asked for this entrance sign, the majority of calls are not in favour of this," Caterina said.

"We are happy with all the other construction which is going on, which are basic, basic services."

Coun. Don Iveson was also opposed. "I’m afraid that I cannot support the drive-by public art. For us to pretend that we will have a great lasting impression at the edge of our city misses the point of investing in urban design at the core of an urban place."

Some of the councillors who supported he project said art needs to be everywhere in the city, not just in downtown.

Mayor Stephen Mandel voted for it, saying he felt the design was reflective of city hall and would have been a big addition to the northeast.