Thomas Taylor, a 20-year veteran of the construction industry and noted expert on sustainability, is general manager of St. Louis-based Vertegy, a sustainable consultancy firm. The firm’s primary focus is to serve clients who seek LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Everyone involved in the design and construction business is currently feeling the effects of the economy. Some projects that were started before the downturn occurred are now slowing, and others have been put on hold indefinitely. Owners and developers who have managed to hold on to their financing for projects are finding an abundance of qualified firms willing to slash their fees in order to secure a project. This makes for a very chaotic time in our marketplace. However, the one niche that has seemed to remain somewhat stable is green design and construction.