The City of Fort Morgan Downtown Infrastructure Project included complete reconstruction of Downtown Main Street while keeping the downtown businesses open during the entire construction progress. Although this was mainly an infrastructure project, the overall project enhanced the attractiveness, convenience, and functionality of the downtown area and improved pedestrian access and safety. The construction portion of the project was completely funded by the City and a 50% matching grant for engineering and design services was received from the Department of Local Affairs. The public was engaged from the beginning to ensure downtown Fort Morgan was successfully transformed in less than 90 days and within budget.

City Manager, Pat Merrill, accepted an award for the 2009 Downtown Infrastructure Project from the Colorado Chapter of the APWA (American Public Works Association) on January 25, 2010, for the Small Community Award in the category of Engineering & Construction Management. Read more details about this award.

The 2009 Colorado Project of the Year Award for the 2009 Downtown Infrastructure Project was presented to City Officials at the APWA (American Public Works Association) Awards Ceremony on January 25, 2010. Receiving the 2009 Colorado APWA Project of the Year Award were left to right: SEH Project Engineer Jeff Killion, City Councilmember Lyn Deal, 2009 City Mayor Jack Darnell, City Municipal Engineer Brad Curtis, 2010 City Mayor Terry McAlister, City Manager Pat Merrill, SEH Project Manager Rick Coldsnow, and ECI Site Construction VP Ted Johnson. Read more details about this award.

Fort Morgan won the Nebraska Municipal Power Pool (NMPP) Energy 2009 Project of the Year Award in the population category of communities over 5,000. The City of Fort Morgan is a member of the NMPP and purchases power through the organization. The award was presented at the NMPP annual meeting on March 30, 2010. Along with the recognition and a plaque, the City received a monetary award of $200 to go toward a local project. The award money will be used for furnishing the downtown area.