Commitments and Contingencies |
6 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Jun. 30, 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 June 30, 2020, management believes that it is reasonably possible that we could recognize a loss of up to $3.2 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 June 30, 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 June 30, 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. In an effort to control its spread, governments and other authorities have imposed restrictive measures affecting freedom of movement and business operations, such as shelter-in-place orders and business closures. Strong measures were in place in much of the United States beginning in March, bringing many businesses to a halt while forcing others to change the way in which they conduct their operations, with much of the workforce working from their homes to the extent they were able. States and local governments began easing these measures in late April, as regional COVID-19 case volumes appeared to be decreasing. The pace of the easing of these measures varied regionally, with some state and local governments lifting restrictive measures entirely, and many businesses were able to gradually begin resuming a return to normal operations. As of the date of this filing, case volumes were increasing in much of the country, with certain authorities re-instituting restrictive measures and others contemplating doing so. As a result, there continues to be significant uncertainty regarding the duration of this pandemic and, once it subsides, the potential for it to reoccur on a significant scale in the future. 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. These conditions could continue or further deteriorate as businesses feel the prolonged effects of stalled or reduced operations and uncertainty regarding the pandemic continues.
COVID-19, and similar pandemics, along with measures instituted to prevent spread, may adversely affect us in many ways, including, but not limited to:
The extent of the effect on our operations, financial condition and cash flows will be dependent on future developments, including the duration of the pandemic and any future resurgence thereof, the prevalence, strength and duration of restrictive measures and the resulting effects on our tenants, potential future tenants, the commercial real estate industry and the broader economy, all of which are uncertain and difficult to predict.
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