Northwest

Construction in the Northwest has struggled in recent years to keep pace with the region’s population growth.

Housing costs in its major cities like Seattle, Denver, and Portland have risen as a result. Local jurisdictions have taken steps to combat this, such as efforts in Oregon and Washington to limit single-family zoning practices. The commercial sector faces issues ranging from oversupply, interest rates, and uncertainty around the Trump administration’s trade policy. This has, in turn, created decreased property values and complex refinancing scenarios. The office market in particular has struggled with reduced demand stemming from the shift to hybrid and remote work. Nonetheless, there are signs of recovery, with renewed interest in high-end office spaces and other commercial properties like apartments, warehouses, retail stores, and hotels.

As is true across the country, many in the region are adopting a “wait and see” approach to their projects. Labor and material availability remain uncertain, and many developments face difficulty securing funding from state governments. As a result, some projects have been paused and others have been put on hold. Infrastructure spending in the region remains robust, buoyed by funds carried over from the Biden administration. Investments target the region’s highway and rail networks and continue to bolster energy projects in Alaska and Wyoming.

* Other structures include religious buildings, amusement, government communications, and public recreation projects.