As the economy begana slow recovery last year, design firms held on for a long ride. Construction budgets and jobs were still being slashed and projects delayed, although not to the same degree as in 2010. While the ride ahead appears to be a lot less bumpy, design professionals say they are hanging on and are preparing for a long gradual recovery until activity returns to pre-recession levels.
"The positive thing about 2011 was stability as compared with 2010, but, even so, there was no major growth," says Ira Levy, an AECOM executive vice president for the Northeast region.