Commitments and Contingencies |
3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2021 | |
| 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, 2021, 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 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 March 31, 2021. 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, 2021, we do not expect any such future fundings will be required.
Effects of COVID-19
As of the date of this filing, spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, continues world- and nation-wide, and is expected to continue at least until vaccinations have been administered to most of the population. Some businesses continue to be hindered to varying extents by the effects of restrictive measures instituted to control spread, 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. In addition, there continues to be significant uncertainty regarding the duration and extent of the pandemic due to such factors such as the resurgence of the virus, emergence of variants in some areas and pace of vaccination efforts. While the pandemic has impacted the operations of much of the commercial real estate industry, we believe that we have been less susceptible to such impact due to our portfolio’s significant concentration in Defense/IT Locations. As a result, we believe that we have not been significantly affected by the pandemic.
COVID-19, 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 and any future resurgence or variants 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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