A controversial statue of a naked man, which had its penis lopped off by vandals, won't be returned to its spot in the middle of a traffic circle in the B.C. town of Penticton.

City councillors voted unanimously Monday night against restoring the 2.2-metre tall work called The Baggage Handler, which depicts a nude carrying a briefcase.

Artist Michael Hermesh wanted the city to pay an estimated $20,000 in repairs to restore the statue's penis, which was damaged in January.

Artist Michael Hermesh looks at his statue, which ignited controversy when it was placed in a Penticton traffic circle. (File photo)
Artist Michael Hermesh looks at his statue, which ignited controversy when it was placed in a Penticton traffic circle. (File photo)

The city council decided the repairs were too expensive, opting instead to give the artist $300 to take it away.

Some people were upset by the statue's lack of clothing and demanded that the work – nicknamed "Frank" – be taken down shortly after it was unveiled in January.

The city's mayor even received letters that called for his resignation over the issue.

After some distracted drivers narrowly avoided accidents upon seeing the display, Hermesh was told to bolt a metal plate in front of the statue's genitalia. The city later changed its mind and had the plate removed.

Others praised the statue as an intriguing work of art or dismissed the controversy as a ridiculous overreaction.