Construction market healthy, but softer.(Wisconsin)(Industry Overview)

Builders in southeastern Wisconsin have a lot of ground to make up if they hope to duplicate what was accomplished in 1998.

Construction volumes in metropolitan Milwaukee through March were 7.2 percent lower than the pace set a year ago. The Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee reports that total construction volumes so far this year are $548.2 million, down from $590.1 million in 1998.

"There's no doubt the market is weakening," said Mike Fabishak, executive director of AGC Milwaukee. "But there's no reason to head for the hills, because 1998 was a record year."

Through the first quarter, AGC's measure of the economic impact of …