OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Booming development in downtown Omaha has the potential to bring five new parking garages to the area.

Downtown organizations and businesses say their employees and customers expect them to provide ample parking nearby. But Mayor Jean Stothert and city planners say garages that might appear necessary now will seem redundant in the future.

So city leaders must decide whether to offer people abundant downtown parking or save that land for development.

City planning consultant Steve Jensen said Omaha’s solution will help establish the downtown of Omaha’s future. Jensen says most people want a downtown to be active, interesting, exciting and fun, with lots of places to go. He says taking up too much space for parking garages risks choking off other development.