"New" Shore Plaza groundbreaking set for Monday

The 55-unit Shore Plaza Beach Resort is scheduled to open in 2012

It was announced yesterday via the official Facebook fanpage of Sam's Pizza Palace that groundbreaking for a new Shore Plaza will begin on Monday.

Courtesy of Jackie Slaviero

The statement read:  "Many of you may have heard rumors through the years, or have asked, 'when is the motel getting built?' Well right now we are making it official. On Monday, March 7, 2011- we will officially be breaking ground for the Shore Plaza Beach Resort."

The original Shore Plaza Motel - a "Doo Wop" staple for nearly a half-century at 26th & Boardwalk - was destroyed by fire in December of 2005.

Three businesses on the Boardwalk level of the complex were also lost, including Sam's, which quickly rebuilt a larger stand-alone restaurant that opened for Memorial Day 2006.

Shore Plaza in 2004

Back in August 2009, the Wildwood Planning Board approved a proposal for a 55-unit hotel structure to be constructed on the same site. 

The Shore Plaza Beach Resort is expected to be open for the 2012 season.