Myrtle Beach officials unveiled "Rabbit Man," a towering welded-steel rabbit in a suit — bow tie, walking cane, and a cardinal perched on its arm — at Fourth Avenue and Broadway on November 6, kicking off the city's First Friday Artwalk season.

WPDE reports the sculpture stands 8 1/2 feet tall, while the Post and Courier describes it as 8 feet (103 inches) at its unveiling along Broadway Street.

The piece is the work of Dale Rogers, a Massachusetts metal sculptor whose animal-themed works appear in more than 100 cities across 27 states, including "Rabbit Jack" in downtown Greenville.

Mayor Mark Kruea told the Post and Courier he was sure the figure would become "a regular feature in people's selfies."

According to WPDE, the sculpture itself cost $21,000, paid through the city's Public Art Fund, with another $4,959 spent reconstructing pavement and installing the work — a total of $25,959. The Post and Courier's account attributes the $21,000 figure to the statue.

What has stung some nearby workers and business owners is less the money than the selection process: several questioned why the city brought in an out-of-state artist rather than a local one.

A worker on the same block, identified only as David, told WPDE that a gallery full of local artists sat right in front of the site, asking why the city did not pick work from someone nearby who "does art around here."

Jason Greene, CEO of the Downtown Alliance, told WPDE that the city met with both local artists and outside candidates, and that the Cultural Resources Committee selected Rogers' work as part of the Arts and Innovation District initiative.

Greene argued public art is not meant to appeal to everyone: "art is supposed to be controversial. It's supposed to start conversation."

John Krajc, the committee's chairman, told the Post and Courier the location choice came down to foot traffic on Broadway and downtown's business districts, calling it an homage to nearby urban wildlife at Withers Swash Park two blocks away. "You cannot have a great city without great art," he said.

The meaning behind the rabbit remains unresolved.

Connie Huddleseo of Gallery 320 told WPDE that "why a rabbit?" will puzzle visitors, especially since no official explanation has been given; she mentioned a local old wives' tale about rabbits emerging from the dunes but could not confirm any connection.

The Post and Courier, which identifies her as Gallery 320 Director Connie Huddle, quotes her urging visitors to invent their own narrative: "Everything in art is whatever you think it is." She predicted the statue will make people smile and laugh.

With the sculpture now a fixture downtown, both outlets suggest the debate itself — over cost, local talent, and meaning — may be exactly the conversation public art is designed to spark.