millions? it s millions. reporter: tens of myelograms? i would say tens of millions. reporter: the new boardwalk alone cost nearly $8 million. we did what we had to do to get doors opened, to let people know seaside heights are old. there are so many more things we node to do. reporter: like more benchs an lights, but mayor bill acres is satisfied. you can walk the boardwalk north to south. it seems like we got a few people up here today enjoying it. reporter: a few pem less than a typical memorial day weekend. i would say we are doing half than last year. reporter: that hasn t dampened spirits. you couldn t ask for better weather. you couldn t ask for more people. this is great. it s the lucky leos. we knew it was going to be slow, just the idea that we are here. that truly is a remarkable thing. reporter: what a way to ring in 100 years. i guess we re doing what they did 100 years agoment they needed to build a boardwalk.
heights, new jersey, coming to life again after sandy. we said we ll be done by memorial day weekend, and it s got to be done. reporter: mayor bill akers says 85% of the boardwalk s businesses will open by this weekend. all they need now. people. i mean, you need good weather and you need people. reporter: the owner of lucky leos is depending on it. this is where i make 100% of my money are right here on this boardwalk. reporter: problem is many of the people have no homes to come back to. just down ocean avenue in mantaloking not one house spared. i just look at it and tears come to my eyes every time i drive up and down route 35. famous for images like this. the supports gave way and tilted the house towards the ocean. reporter: for bill and louie, it was just too much. if we could have retabbed it, but it s just too broken. this week they watched their
shore. it s a race to turn the former disaster zone into a summer paradise. the boardwalk is coming to life again. we said it would be done by memorial day weekend, and it will be done. 85% of the boardwalk s businesses will be open by this weekend. what they need now? good weather and people. the owner of lucky leos is depending on it. i make 100% of my money here. many of the people have no homes to come back do. just down ocean avenue, not one house spared. tears come to my eyes every time i look at those houses. famous for images like this. bill and louie mettler lost