After years of planning and construction, Amherstburg has officially opened another major section of its Detroit River waterfront to the public. The Amherstburg Waterfront Festival Plaza is now open at 306 Dalhousie Street on the former Duffy’s Tavern and Motor Inn property.

The $3.06-million first phase transforms the site into public waterfront space directly beside King’s Navy Yard Park. For downtown Amherstburg, the project is about more than adding another park. It creates another destination along the waterfront while opening the door to additional events, tourism infrastructure and future investment.

From Duffy’s Tavern to Public Waterfront

The town of Amherstburg purchased the approximately 1.2-hectare property in 2017 with the intention of expanding public parkland. The first phase of the redevelopment includes accessible pathways connecting the property to King’s Navy Yard Park, shoreline improvements, benches, lighting, landscaping and other site features.

Significant work also took place below the surface, including shoreline stabilization and underground servicing required to support future uses of the property. The plaza officially opened to the public in August 2026.

More Than Just Another Park

From a downtown development perspective, the location is what makes the project particularly important. Amherstburg’s riverfront is one of the community’s strongest assets. Expanding public access gives residents and visitors another reason to spend time downtown while strengthening the connection between King’s Navy Yard Park, the waterfront and surrounding businesses.

That can matter to the local commercial district. Restaurants, retailers and service businesses all benefit when more people are visiting an area, attending events and spending additional time downtown.

Future Plans for the Waterfront

The current plaza represents the first phase of a much larger vision. The town’s master plan for the property includes a future transient marina, outdoor gathering and event space, and washroom facilities as funding becomes available.

Infrastructure installed during the current phase was designed to help support future development of the property. That means the $3.06-million investment should not necessarily be viewed as the finished product. It is the foundation for a larger waterfront plan.

What Could This Mean for Downtown Amherstburg Real Estate?

Public infrastructure can play an important role in the long-term health of a commercial district. The strongest downtowns generally give people multiple reasons to visit. Restaurants and stores are part of that equation, but so are parks, waterfront access, festivals, trails, public spaces and tourism amenities. Those uses create activity, and activity is important to commercial real estate.

More pedestrian traffic and more events can support existing businesses, make vacant storefronts more attractive to prospective tenants and help encourage additional private investment. Amherstburg already has the advantage of a historic downtown located directly along the Detroit River. Continuing to improve the public waterfront strengthens that advantage.

The Plaza Is Already Being Put to Use

The new plaza is already becoming part of Amherstburg’s event infrastructure. The 2026 Amherstburg Uncommon Festival expanded into the Waterfront Festival Plaza along with King’s Navy Yard Park and surrounding downtown streets. That is an early example of how the space can be used to support larger community events and draw additional visitors downtown.

Amherstburg Continues to Evolve

The Waterfront Festival Plaza is another example of the investment taking place throughout Amherstburg. The community continues to see residential growth, new business activity and public investment while maintaining a downtown and waterfront that give it a distinct identity within Windsor-Essex. Turning the former Duffy’s property into public waterfront space strengthens one of those defining characteristics.

The next major question will be when additional phases, including the planned marina and other amenities, move forward. For anyone following Windsor-Essex real estate and development, Amherstburg remains a market worth watching.

For commercial real estate, investment properties and development opportunities throughout Amherstburg and Windsor-Essex, contact Lalovich Real Estate at RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd.