Adam Coates and the Heritage Committee of the Town of Amherstburg

Nominee for the Carlos Ventin Award for Municipal Heritage Leadership

The establishment of the Amherstburg Heritage Conservation District is a major milestone for the town, and the nominee played a central role in making it happen. Engaging the public in every step, Coates and the Heritage Committee made sure that the homeowners impacted by the change understood why it was happening and how it was designed to protect their streetscape in these changing times. They worked during public sessions to explain to residents of the Town of Amherstburg why the heritage district was being developed, why it needed to happen, and even why the specific boundaries were set. Their leadership helped bring 106 heritage properties under long‑term protection — the largest concentration of heritage assets in the municipality. Thanks to this work, only 19 properties remain at risk ahead of the January 1, 2027, deadline, and the nominee continues to coordinate efforts to ensure those sites are protected as well. This nomination recognizes a practical, results‑driven commitment to preserving Amherstburg’s historic character for the future.