By Gabriella Sacidor, David Madden

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBS) – National polls suggest a quarter of America still thinks Atlantic City was, in effect, destroyed by the Superstorm.

By now, we all know that’s not the case. It’s convincing that 25 percent that is just one challenge facing Jeff Guaracino with the Atlantic City Alliance.

“So many people in the country might think that our Steel Pier is the amusement ride that is in the Atlantic Ocean in Seaside Heights and that could not be further from the truth,” says Guaracino.

Steel Pier will open for the season at noon on Saturday in Atlantic City.

(Credit: Melanie Sole, Public Relations, Atlantic City Alliance)

_____

Steel Pier is located at the 1000 block of the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

Pier officials say that Steel Pier came through Hurricane Sandy unscathed and Atlantic City suffered minimal damage.

On Friday, Steel Pier will test The Mix, the pier’s newest thrill ride that spins like a propeller and swings riders out over the ocean.

The pier will also host a media event previewing its eight new rides and give the first turn of the Ferris Wheel.

Plans are to get that roller coaster out of public view before Memorial Day. In fact, most shore towns hope to be open by then – to some degree – with those south of Long Beach Island close to normal for summer operations.

Steel Pier originally opened in 1898 and became known for showcasing the world’s top entertainers.