There have been multiple complaints to the city that the 52 posts installed at a busy intersection to guard pedestrians from cars resemble male genitalia, KATU-TV, Portland, Ore., reported Monday.

"I can't disagree with that," said City Manager Chris Eppley. "They certainly did not turn out the way we anticipated."

Eppley said the posts, which were ordered from a catalog, looked different on paper.

"They're a standard style," Eppley said. "I think in the right context they look fine. They just happened not to (look fine) here."

Eppley said the city is looking to outfit the posts with metal collars and connecting chains to change their appearance. He said the posts will be removed if they still appear phallic.

"If that fix doesn't work and I still think they look inappropriate, we'll have wasted $20,000 and we'll have to do something different," Eppley said.