Despite the value of its nonresidential building contracts dropping to a level that is less than half of last year’s, the greater Atlanta metropolitan area is still leading the Southeast’s pack. According to the latest information from McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of Southeast Construction, Atlanta recorded more than $1 million in new nonresidential construction contracts, for future construction, during the first five months of 2009. That’s 56% below 2008’s pace of nearly $2.3 billion.

The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach area closed the gap on Atlanta, compared to the same period of a year ago, with nearly $971.8 million in new nonresidential contracts through May. That’s 45% behind that area’s 2008 pace.

Most of the large metropolitan areas showed similar, steep declines within the nonresidential market. Orlando, Fla., experienced a drop of 39%; Tampa, Fla., is 28% behind 2008; Jacksonville, Fla., fell 38%; and Charlotte, N.C., fell by 58%.

Three smaller population centers saw their nonresidential markets improve, however. Fayetteville, N.C., experienced am 83% improvement in nonresidential contracts to rank fifth. The Columbus, Ga., area’s 6% improvement was enough for eighth place. Gainesville, Fla., roared into the top-10 list with a 313% increase in the value of its nonresidential contracts.