Plans for new Shore Plaza Motel

WILDWOOD — The Wildwood Planning Board approved a Boardwalk motel project at a regularly scheduled meeting Monday, Aug. 3 giving the owners of the resort landmark restaurant, Sam’s Pizza, the go-ahead for an adjacent 55-unit proposal.

According to a release, the Board’s approval will permit construction of a new Shore Plaza Motel to replace the former lodging, which was completely destroyed in a December 2005 fire. Sam’s Pizza was rebuilt in record time and opened for Memorial Day 2006, but the motel site was left vacant.

“I am very happy that the Shore Plaza will be rebuilt,” said Mayor Ernie Troiano. “It was a classic 1950’s motel that was a Wildwood institution. We need more first-class motel rooms to remain a top tourist destination. I applaud the Spera and Zuccarella families for showing their strong commitment to the community by rebuilding the Shore Plaza.”

The municipal land use law has changed and a new master plan is in place since the reconstruction of Sam’s Pizza. In response to board requests, the owners agreed to reduce lot coverage, eliminate intrusion to the City’s right-of-way and enhance the safety of the ground level parking garage. Most importantly, agreement was reached to deed restrict the parking Jot across the street from the motel. This will link the two properties legally and will not allow the motel to be sold in the future without the parking lot.

The Shore Plaza Motel was a classic Wildwood “Doo-Wop” motel, with curved balconies overlooking tile boardwalk and a rooftop pool. It was opened in 1957 by Salvatore Spera, along with Sam’s Pizza, at 26th Avenue and the Boardwalk. The new plan, designed by architect Kevin Young of AIA, incorporates many of the original motel’s design accents. The rooms have been reduced in number from more than 70 to 55, in older to make them more spacious, in accordance with modern travelers’ tastes. The owners are waiting for a final disposition of their insurance claim from the 2005 fire before construction will begin.