CanaData’s forecast for total non-residential building construction starts nation-wide in 2009 now stands at 45.5 million square feet. This is about half of what it was two years ago in 2007 at 92.1 million. Last year was the first year of decline in the recession and the square footage of ICI starts (industrial, commercial and institutional) dropped to 75.5 million. The new slightly revised forecasts for 2010 and 2011 are for 56.0 million and 70.0 million square feet respectively.

Commercial building starts in 2009 are now estimated at 22.0 million square feet versus 45.6 million in 2008 and 58.0 million in 2007. They will move back up to 28.0 million in 2010 and 40.5 million in 2011. Rising vacancy rates will inhibit office building construction for several years moving forward. Hotel and motel construction is being held back by the downturn in the economy, fewer U.S. visitors and the increase …