alone cost nearly $8 million. >> we did what we had to do to get the doors open, to let the people know that seaside height is open. but there is so many things we have to do. >> reporter: like more benches and lights. but mayor bill acres is satisfied. >> you can walk the boardwalk north to south and it seems like we got a few people up here today enjoying it. >> reporter: a few people less than a typical memorial day weekend. >> i would say we're doing about half of what we did last year. >> reporter: but that hasn't dampened spirits. >> look around. you couldn't ask for better weather. couldn't ask for more people. this is great. >> this is the golden goose, lucky leo's. we knew it would be slow, but just the idea that we're here and that naturally is the remarkable thing. >> reporter: what a way to ring in 100 years. >> i guess we're doing the same thing they did back 100 years ago. they needed to build a boardwalk. we're building it. >> reporter: and just to give our viewers some perspective here, the new jersey shore brings in about $19 billion a