The public is invited to attend a hearing Wednesday on plans for a new taxing district that has been hailed as a key component in the resurgence of downtown Yakima.

The taxing district, which applies only to owners of property in the downtown area, would raise $200,000 a year. The proceeds would be used for downtown improvements and maintenance.

Supporters have gotten the thumbs-up from 60 percent of the property owners, but not everyone -- particularly churches and nonprofit groups -- is crazy about the rates.

The hearing is scheduled to get under way at 7 p.m. at City Hall, corner of Second Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

-- Chris Bristol