El Dorado Motel Demolished – Woodbine
The El Dorado Motel, located off Route 47 in Woodbine, has been demolished after sitting abandoned for a decade.
This 24-room motel was built in the hay-day of motor travel and became a halfway point to the shore for those driving from Philadelphia to Wildwood and Cape May.
El Dorado Motel Demolished – Woodbine
It was placed for sale a decade ago and ceased operation in the same year.
Over time, Mother Nature took over and vandals started breaking into the rooms, making it an eyesore in the town and county.
This motel caught the attention of Mayor Zeth Matalucci, prompting him to contemplate taking action to address the vacant and dilapidated structure.
Facing budget constraints that prevented the township from independently dealing with the issue, Mayor Matalucci sought assistance from Cape May County commissioners.
This led to the formation of a groundbreaking redevelopment collaboration agreement between Cape May County and Dennis Township in August 2022, specifically aimed at tackling blighted properties like the former Eldorado Motel.
The county stepped in by purchasing the 9.66-acre property for $165,000, signaling a commitment to revitalizing the area.
To ensure effective management, a Redevelopment Advisory Committee was established, comprising three members from both the township and the county. Although initial discussions considered transforming the site into a park, a decision was reached in favor of residential development.
The revenue generated from the property’s sale would then offset the costs associated with acquisition, demolition, and remediation.
Pineland Construction LLC was awarded the demolition contract for $57,300, and the demolition itself occurred between November 14 and November 27.
This strategic initiative aligns with Cape May County’s Municipal Redevelopment Initiative, which began with a pilot program in Wildwood. The program focuses on the strategic acquisition of vacant properties for appropriate development, utilizing county funds to spur revitalization efforts.
The success of the Wildwood initiative has been notable, with private sector development flourishing on most of the acquired properties. However, challenges arose in cases where property owners sought prices exceeding appraised values, preventing some targeted properties from being purchased.
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Currently, the committee overseeing the Wildwood initiative is dedicated to project reviews, construction support, and promoting appropriate land use within the designated redevelopment area.
This comprehensive approach reflects a commitment to transforming blighted spaces into thriving community assets.
For a full week crews worked to demolish the 24-room motel and lobby leaving behind a little bit of history on its pad.
The bathrooms, which looked to be last renovated in the 1960s, still showcased the multi-colored tiles.
The colored tiles are similar to what you see in some of Wildwood’s iconic Doo-Wop motels.
Since this was always a halfway point to Wildwood for most of my family, the Wildwood Video Archived figured it would be smart to stop by and film what’s left of the property.
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