WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Wichita city leaders are at odds after a 4-3 vote in favor of installing two public restrooms and a hydration station downtown forced them to choose between safety or cost.

On Tuesday, city councilors approved the purchase of two Portland Loos, a public restroom sold by the city of Portland, Oregon. They are described as sleek, modern kiosks that deter crime with graffiti-proof wall panels and open gates. But vandalism is not the main concern of some city leaders.

Councilman Brandon Johnson, who voted in favor of the project, said his vote is for the safety of Wichita residents.

“One of the things we heard from citizens was line of sight. That was one of the safety concerns,” Councilman Johnson said. “If you had a closed area, then something could happen to you in that area. So with the Portland bathroom being open at the bottom, you can see if there are feet in there. If someone is sitting, you will be able to see them, if an emergency happens, you will be able to see them.”

The Portland Loo unit costs approximately $135,000 to $150,000. This does not include installation, utility design or administration costs.

According to the popular zillow real estate site, The average cost of a home in Wichita is around $197,000.

During their weekly meeting, Councilman Dalton Glasscock explained why he decided to vote against outdoor bathrooms.

“I’ll vote no too,” Councilman Glasscock said. “I think we need to use the facilities we have before we build more and the cost, the $500,000 price tag is astronomical for this.”

But Councilor Johnson said the price of the Portland Loo would cost about the same as an enclosed loo that would be built. He also stated that bathrooms downtown are hard to find and would give Wichita residents a safe space to relieve themselves if restaurants and businesses are closed downtown.

However, bathrooms aren’t the only downtown facilities the city plans to install with that $500,000.

“We also approved a station with a hydration system and a location for a water fountain,” Councilman Johnson said. “People have also talked about there being nowhere to get water downtown unless you go into a business. It makes sense to me to have water fountains or hydration stations. So, we will install one of those as well.”

While Councilman Glasscock agrees with the hydration station the city approved, he said he would like to see the city use what is available, such as the enclosed restrooms in Old Town, before making any changes.

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