A city widely reported to be hanging on the brink of economic ruin has rebounded from numerous economic disasters in its robust, controversial 160-year history.

Members of the recently formed Jackson Economic Development Committee took heart in the city's cyclical past during Thursday's meeting.

There have been fires and floods, booms and busts, scandals and crackdowns. Boundaries have been moved and laws changed to perpetuate or eliminate goings-on in Jackson, depending upon the mood of the moment. Through it all, Jackson has always recovered, giving the current economic concerns a feeling of dejà vu.

As has happened so often over the years, the people of Jackson are rising to the occasion. Thursday evening at City Hall, those people brought information they have gathered and suggestions they have devised since their first meeting last month.

Clean-up is on top of the action list. Tomorrow at 10 a.m., everyone is invited to join the committee members to clean up Main Street for the upcoming Dandelion Days, scheduled for March 15 and 16.

Another clean-up day is planned for April 19 to coincide with the first day for kids to play on the new play structure at Detert Park.

For Dandelion Days and likely into the future, committee member Kam Merzlak has arranged with local artists and vacant property owners to transform empty storefronts on Main Street into showplaces. According to Merzlak, this is expected to prevent visitors from getting the impression that Jackson is economically depressed. Artists interested in participating in the program can call Kam or Alicia Merzlak at 223-4818.

A number of committee members have attended conferences with the national Main Street USA Program, where they discovered that revitalization requires planning, time and money.

Organization, promotion, economic restructuring and design are the four areas of concentration recommended by Main Street USA. The first steps have been taken to implement principles that are helping to bring vitality back to downtowns all around the country.

Economic restructuring is part of the plan, with Councilman Wayne Garibaldi heading a subcommittee that is intent upon finding funding for citywide projects. Garibaldi and City Manager Mike Daly are beginning the paperwork for the creation of a redevelopment agency.

Aware of the lengthy process involved, Garibaldi, Bank of Amador vice president, has been researching more immediate alternatives, such as loans from the United States Department of Agriculture, which has programs designed to help small communities.

Daly pointed out that Jackson already has a Business Improvement District, which makes substantial tax credits available to property owners as an incentive to improve, remodel or upgrade their commercial properties.

Strategic planning is three-tiered, according to Robert Mees of the strategy subcommittee.

The scenic entry coming down into Jackson from Martell is one major focus of attention. Historic downtown is the second tier and efforts there are ongoing. Parking is one major concern and suggestions include diagonal parking and making Main Street one way.

The third tier is what Mees called "commercial south," home to many businesses and services in Jackson.

The subcommittee for strategy intends to do precise counts and analysis of the existing occupancy situation, with an eye toward using that data to formulate plans for improvement.

The next meeting of the Jackson Economic Development Committee is set for April 10 at 6 p.m. in Jackson City Hall. For information about how to become involved in any aspect of Jackson's revitalization, call 223-1646.