RALEIGH, N.C. — Raleigh taxpayers are almost evenly split on whether to proceed with the art project planned for Fayetteville Street, said the results of a recent poll.

Many city leaders have recommended shelving Jaume Plensa's proposed project because it is already $2 million over budget and because of engineering concerns related to the size of the columns.

Just over half of the people surveyed were in favor of the project. About 49 percent, or 177 participants, voted against it. Less than 20 percent said the city should go forward, but use only private funding to pay for it.

The initial gift of $2.5 million has been pledged by WRAL's parent company, Capitol Broadcasting Co.