Commitments and Contingencies |
9 Months Ended |
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Sep. 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 September 30, 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 $33 million as of September 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 September 30, 2020, we do not expect any such future fundings will be required.
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 imposed restrictive measures affecting freedom of movement and business operations, such as shelter-in-place orders and business closures. Strong restrictive measures were put into 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 to varying extents in late April, with some lifting restrictive measures entirely, while others chose a more gradual, extended easing approach. While the easing of these measures has enabled many businesses to gradually resume normal operations, most businesses continue to be hindered to varying extents by either measures still in effect, operational challenges resulting from social distancing requirements/expectations and/or a reluctance by much of the population to engage in certain activities while the pandemic is still active. As of the date of this filing, COVID-19 spread continues world- and nation-wide, and is expected to continue until effective vaccinations have been developed and then distributed and administered to much of the population. As a result, there continues to be significant uncertainty regarding the duration and extent of this pandemic. The outbreak has significantly disrupted financial and economic markets worldwide, as well as in the United States at a national, regional and local level. 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:
•disruption of our tenants’ operations, which could adversely affect their ability, or willingness, to sustain their businesses and/or fulfill their lease obligations;
•our ability to maintain occupancy in our properties and obtain new leases for unoccupied and new development space at favorable terms or at all;
•shortages in supply of products or services from our and our tenants’ vendors that are needed for us and our tenants to operate effectively, and which could lead to increased costs for such products and services;
•access to debt and equity capital on attractive terms or at all. Severe disruption and instability in the global financial markets or deteriorations in credit and financing conditions may affect our or our tenants’ ability to access capital necessary to fund operations, refinance debt or fund planned investments on a timely basis, and may adversely affect the valuation of financial assets and liabilities;
•our and our tenants’ ability to continue or complete planned development, including the potential for delays in the supply of materials or labor necessary for development; and
•an increase in the pace of businesses implementing remote work arrangements over the long-term, which would adversely effect demand for office space.
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, 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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