Report: Planning Activity Increases for Office Buildings, Retail, Data Centers

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, increased 5.9% in May to 275.7 (2000=100) from the downwardly revised April reading of 260.4. Over the month, commercial planning expanded 6.9% and institutional planning momentum grew 3.1%.  

“Nonresidential planning continued to stabilize throughout May,” says Sarah Martin, director of economic research at Dodge Construction Network. “Growth in the DMI continued to be led by data center activity, but key sectors—such as healthcare, retail stores and offices—gained momentum as well. Nonetheless, the broader outlook remains cautious, as persistent labor constraints, elevated material costs and ongoing supply chain pressures weigh on owner sentiment in the near term.” 

Over the month, planning activity for traditional office buildings, data centers, and retail stores improved, while warehouse, hotel and parking garage planning slowed down. 

• On the institutional side, healthcare planning continued to accelerate in May, alongside government and religious building activity.
• Meanwhile, educational and recreational building momentum slowed down. 
• Year-over-year, the DMI was up 33.8% when compared to May 2025. The commercial segment was up 41.2% (+6.6% when data centers are removed) and the institutional segment was up 17.7% over the same period.  

The DMI is a monthly measure based on the three-month moving value of nonresidential building projects going into planning, shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year to 18 months.