Even as they continue to see increased revenue, MidAtlantic design firms are steeling themselves for any softening economic conditions. Several participants in the ENR MidAtlantic Top Design Firm survey say they are positioning themselves to capitalize on infrastructure work—especially in the water and wastewater sectors—to provide a boost that could propel them through the next downturn.
“It will only take a couple more extremely cold winters to see some serious water stream issues that are going to have to get the politicians’ attention,” says Jeffrey Lighthiser, chief executive of Richmond-based Draper Aden Associates Inc.