Commitments and Contingencies |
3 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Mar. 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies | Commitments and Contingencies Litigation and Claims
In the normal course of business, we are subject to legal actions and other claims. We record losses for specific legal proceedings and claims when we determine that a loss is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. As of March 31, 2020, management believes that it is reasonably possible that we could recognize a loss of up to $3.1 million for certain municipal tax claims. While we do not believe this loss would materially affect our financial position or liquidity, it could be material to our results of operations. Management believes that it is also reasonably possible that we could incur losses pursuant to other such claims but do not believe such losses would materially affect our financial position, liquidity or results of operations. Our assessment of the potential outcomes of these matters involves significant judgment and is subject to change based on future developments.
Environmental
We are subject to various Federal, state and local environmental regulations related to our property ownership and operation. We have performed environmental assessments of our properties, the results of which have not revealed any environmental liability that we believe would have a materially adverse effect on our financial position, operations or liquidity.
In connection with a lease and subsequent sale in 2008 and 2010 of three properties in Dayton, New Jersey, we agreed to provide certain environmental indemnifications limited to $19 million in the aggregate. We have insurance coverage in place to mitigate much of any potential future losses that may result from these indemnification agreements.
Tax Incremental Financing Obligation
Anne Arundel County, Maryland issued tax incremental financing bonds to third-party investors in order to finance public improvements needed in connection with our project known as the National Business Park. These bonds had a remaining principal balance of approximately $34 million as of March 31, 2020. The real estate taxes on increases in assessed values post-bond issuance of properties in development districts encompassing the National Business Park are transferred to a special fund pledged to the repayment of the bonds. While we are obligated to fund, through a special tax, any future shortfalls between debt service of the bonds and real estate taxes available to repay the bonds, as of March 31, 2020, we do not expect any such future fundings will be significant.
Effects of COVID-19
Since first being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in early March 2020, the coronavirus, or COVID-19, has spread worldwide and throughout the United States. As of May 8, 2020, there continued to be significant uncertainty regarding the duration of COVID-19’s spread, and the potential, once its spread subsides, for the virus to reoccur on
a significant scale in the future. The COVID-19 outbreak has prompted governments and other authorities around the world, including federal, state and local authorities in the United States, to impose measures intended to control its spread, including restrictions on freedom of movement and business operations such as travel bans, border closings, business closures, quarantines and shelter-in-place orders. The outbreak has significantly disrupted economic markets worldwide, as well as in the United States at a national, regional and local level, and created significant volatility in financial markets. Furthermore, conditions could potentially continue to deteriorate as a result of the pandemic.
COVID-19 and measures instituted to prevent spread, may adversely affect us in many ways, including by disrupting:
The extent of COVID-19’s effect on our operational and financial performance is dependent on future developments, including the duration, spread and intensity of the outbreak, all of which are uncertain and difficult to predict. Due to the speed with which the effects of COVID-19 have developed, we are unable at this time to estimate the magnitude of the effect of these factors on our business, but the adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be material.
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