EX-10 2 ex10-26.htm
UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTY

As of December 15, 2005

Claverack Housing Ventures, LLC
c/o Wellsford Real Properties, Inc.
535 Madison Avenue, 26th Floor
New York, New York 10022
(Hereinafter referred to as “Borrower”)

Frank J. Sciame
c/o Sciame Development, Inc.
80 South Street
New York, New York 10038

Wellsford Real Properties, Inc.
535 Madison Avenue
26th Floor
New York, New York 10022
(Frank J. Sciame and Wellsford Real Properties, Inc.
being hereinafter referred to individually
and collectively as “Guarantor”)

Wachovia Bank, National Association
12 East 49th Street
42nd Floor
New York, New York 10017
(Hereinafter referred to as “Bank”)


To induce Bank to make, extend or renew loans, advances, credit, or other financial accommodations to or for the benefit of Borrower, which are and will be to the direct interest and advantage of the Guarantor, and in consideration of loans, advances, credit, or other financial accommodations made, extended or renewed to or for the benefit of Borrower, which are and will be to the direct interest and advantage of the Guarantor, Guarantor hereby absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to Bank and its successors, assigns and, in connection with any swap agreements only, its affiliates, the timely payment and performance of all liabilities and obligations of Borrower to Bank and, in connection with any swap agreements only, its affiliates, relating to that certain development loan in a principal amount of up to $2,000,000 (the “Loan”), evidenced by that certain Building Loan Mortgage Note and that certain Amended and Restated Mortgage Note, each of even date herewith and each between Borrower and Bank (the “Notes”), including, but not limited to, all obligations under any notes, loan agreements, security agreements, letters of credit, instruments, accounts receivable, contracts, drafts, leases, chattel paper, indemnities, acceptances, repurchase agreements, overdrafts, any swap agreement (as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101, as in effect from time to time), and the Loan Documents, as defined below, in each case if and to the extent relating to the Loan, however and whenever incurred or evidenced, whether primary, secondary, direct, indirect, absolute, contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter contracted or acquired, and all modifications, extensions and renewals thereof, (collectively, the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Initially capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Building Loan Agreement between Borrower and Bank.

In addition to the above, the Guaranteed Obligations shall further include the full and prompt payment of any loss, cost and/or expenses that the Bank may incur as a result of Borrower’s fraud,


misrepresentation, intentional waste, gross negligence, willful misconduct or misapplication of insurance or condemnation proceeds in connection with or relating to the Loan.

In addition to the above, the Guaranteed Obligations shall further include the full and prompt payment and performance when due of all present and future liability, obligations and indemnifications whatsoever, of Borrower to Bank under and pursuant to the sections of the Loan Documents relating to “Hazardous Material”, with such interest as may accrue thereon and such other charges as may be due in connection therewith, whether such obligations now exist or arise hereafter. Guarantor agrees that, if Borrower does not pay said liability, obligations and indemnifications relating to Hazardous Material, for any reason, Guarantor shall immediately make such payments. Except as provided in the next sentence, Guarantor’s liability, obligations and indemnifications relating to Hazardous Material shall not be discharged or satisfied by repayment of the obligations evidenced by the Loan Documents, or by foreclosure of any mortgage or other security for the Loan, and shall continue in effect after any transfer of the real estate secured thereby, including, without limitation, transfers pursuant to foreclosure (or in lieu of) proceedings and subsequent transfers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Guarantor’s liability, obligations and indemnifications relating to Hazardous Material shall terminate two (2) years after the repayment in full of the Loan provided that prior to the expiration of said two (2) year period, neither Guarantor, Borrower nor the Bank has knowledge of or received notice with respect to (i) Hazardous Material on the Property, (ii) any action, investigation or proceeding commenced or threatened relating to Hazardous Material alleged to be on the Property, or (iii) any alleged violation by Borrower of any Environmental Law.

Guarantor further covenants and agrees:

GUARANTOR’S LIABILITY. This Guaranty is a continuing and unconditional guaranty of payment and performance and not of collection. The parties to this Guaranty are jointly and severally obligated hereunder. This Guaranty does not impose any obligation on Bank to extend or continue to extend credit or otherwise deal with Borrower at any subsequent time. This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded, avoided or for any other reason must be returned by Bank, and the returned payment shall remain payable as part of the Guaranteed Obligations, all as though such payment had not been made. Except to the extent the provisions of this Guaranty give Bank additional rights, this Guaranty shall not be deemed to supersede or replace any other guaranties given to Bank by Guarantor; and the obligations guaranteed hereby shall be in addition to any other obligations guaranteed by Guarantor pursuant to any other agreement of guaranty given to Bank and other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations.

TERMINATION OF GUARANTY. Guarantor may terminate this Guaranty only by written notice, delivered personally to or received by certified or registered United States Mail by an authorized officer of Bank at the address for notices provided herein. Such termination shall be effective only with respect to Guaranteed Obligations arising more than 15 days after the date such written notice is received by said Bank officer. Such termination shall not be effective with respect to Guaranteed Obligations (including any subsequent extensions, modifications or compromises of the Guaranteed Obligations) then existing, or Guaranteed Obligations arising subsequent to receipt by Bank of said notice if such Guaranteed Obligations are a result of Bank’s obligation to make advances pursuant to a commitment, or are based on Borrower’s obligations to make payments pursuant to any swap agreement (as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101, as in effect from time to time), entered into prior to expiration of the 15 day notice period, or are a result of advances which are necessary for Bank to protect its collateral or otherwise preserve its interests, in each case if and to the extent relating to the Loan. Termination of this Guaranty by any single Guarantor will not affect the existing and continuing obligations of any other Guarantor hereunder.

CONSENT TO MODIFICATIONS. Guarantor consents and agrees that Bank (and, with respect to swap obligations, its affiliates) may from time to time, in its sole discretion, without affecting, impairing, lessening or releasing the obligations of Guarantor hereunder: (a) extend or modify the time, manner, place or terms of payment or performance and/or otherwise change or modify the credit terms of the


Guaranteed Obligations; (b) increase, renew, or enter into a novation of the Guaranteed Obligations; (c) waive or consent to the departure from terms of the Guaranteed Obligations; (d) permit any change in the business or other dealings and relations of Borrower or any other guarantor with Bank; (e) proceed against, exchange, release, realize upon, or otherwise deal with in any manner with any collateral that is or may be held by Bank in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations or any liabilities or obligations of Guarantor; and (f) proceed against, settle, release, or compromise with Borrower, any insurance carrier, or any other person or entity liable as to any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, and/or subordinate the payment of any part of the Guaranteed Obligations to the payment of any other obligations, which may at any time be due or owing to Bank; all in such manner and upon such terms as Bank may deem appropriate, and without notice to or further consent from Guarantor. No invalidity, irregularity, discharge or unenforceability of, or action or omission by Bank relating to any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor shall affect or impair this Guaranty.

WAIVERS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. Guarantor waives and releases the following rights, demands, and defenses Guarantor may have with respect to Bank (and, with respect to swap obligations, its affiliates) and collection of the Guaranteed Obligations: (a) promptness and diligence in collection of any of the Guaranteed Obligations from Borrower or any other person liable thereon, and in foreclosure of any security interest and sale of any property serving as collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations; (b) any law or statute that requires that Bank (and, with respect to swap obligations, its affiliates) make demand upon, assert claims against, or collect from Borrower or other persons or entities, foreclose any security interest, sell collateral, exhaust any remedies, or take any other action against Borrower or other persons or entities prior to making demand upon, collecting from or taking action against Guarantor with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; (c) any law or statute that requires that Borrower or any other person be joined in, notified of or made part of any action against Guarantor; (d) that Bank or its affiliates preserve, insure or perfect any security interest in collateral or sell or dispose of collateral in a particular manner or at a particular time, provided that Bank’s obligation to dispose of Collateral in a commercially reasonable manner is not waived hereby; (e) notice of extensions, modifications, renewals, or novations of the Guaranteed Obligations, of any new transactions or other relationships between Bank, Borrower and/or any guarantor, and of changes in the financial condition of, ownership of, or business structure of Borrower or any other guarantor; (f) presentment, protest, notice of dishonor, notice of default, demand for payment, notice of intention to accelerate maturity, notice of acceleration of maturity, notice of sale, and all other notices of any kind whatsoever to which Guarantor may be entitled; (g) the right to assert against Bank or its affiliates any defense (legal or equitable), set-off, counterclaim, or claim that Guarantor may have at any time against Borrower or any other party liable to Bank or its affiliates; (h) all defenses relating to invalidity, insufficiency, unenforceability, enforcement, release or impairment of Bank or its affiliates’ lien on any collateral, of the Loan Documents, or of any other guaranties held by Bank; (i) any right to which Guarantor is or may become entitled to be subrogated to Bank or its affiliates’ rights against Borrower or to seek contribution, reimbursement, indemnification, payment or the like, or participation in any claim, right or remedy of Bank or its affiliates against Borrower or any security which Bank or its affiliates now has or hereafter acquires, until such time as the Guaranteed Obligations have been fully satisfied beyond the expiration of any applicable preference period; (j) any claim or defense that acceleration of maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed against Guarantor because of the stay of assertion or of acceleration of claims against any other person or entity for any reason including the bankruptcy or insolvency of that person or entity; and (k) the right to marshalling of Borrower’s assets or the benefit of any exemption claimed by Guarantor. Guarantor acknowledges and represents that Guarantor has relied upon Guarantor’s own due diligence in making an independent appraisal of Borrower, Borrower’s business affairs and financial condition, and any collateral; Guarantor will continue to be responsible for making an independent appraisal of such matters; and Guarantor has not relied upon Bank or its affiliates for information regarding Borrower or any collateral.

FINANCIAL CONDITION. Guarantor warrants, represents and covenants to Bank and its affiliates that on and after the date hereof (and with respect to Wellsford Properties, Inc., except as otherwise described in the Guarantor’s public reports): (a) the fair saleable value of Guarantor’s assets exceeds its


liabilities, Guarantor is meeting its current liabilities as they mature, and Guarantor is and shall remain solvent; (b) all financial statements of Guarantor furnished to Bank are correct and accurately reflect the financial condition of Guarantor as of the respective dates thereof; (c) since the date of such financial statements, there has not occurred a material adverse change in the financial condition of Guarantor; (d) there are not now pending any court or administrative proceedings or undischarged judgments against Guarantor, no federal or state tax liens have been filed or threatened against Guarantor, and Guarantor is not in default or claimed default under any agreement; and (e) at such reasonable times as Bank requests, Guarantor will furnish Bank and its affiliates with such other financial information as Bank and its affiliates may reasonably request.

INTEREST AND APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. Regardless of any other provision of this Guaranty or other Loan Documents, if for any reason the effective interest on any of the Guaranteed Obligations should exceed the maximum lawful interest, the effective interest shall be deemed reduced to and shall be such maximum lawful interest, and any sums of interest which have been collected in excess of such maximum lawful interest shall be applied as a credit against the unpaid principal balance of the Guaranteed Obligations. Monies received from any source by Bank or its affiliates for application toward payment of the Guaranteed Obligations may be applied to such Guaranteed Obligations in any manner or order deemed appropriate by Bank and its affiliates.

DEFAULT. If any of the following events occur, a default (“Default”) under this Guaranty shall exist: (a) failure of timely payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations or a default beyond the expiration of any applicable notice, grace or cure period, under any Loan Document; (b) a breach of any agreement or representation contained or referred to in the Guaranty, or any of the Loan Documents, whether now existing or hereafter arising; or (c) the death of, appointment of a guardian for, dissolution of, termination of existence of, loss of good standing status by, appointment of a receiver for, assignment for the benefit of creditors of, or the commencement of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding by or against Guarantor.

If a Default occurs, the Guaranteed Obligations shall be due immediately and payable without notice, other than Guaranteed Obligations under any swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101, as in effect from time to time) with Bank or its affiliates, which shall be due in accordance with and governed by the provisions of said swap agreements, and, Bank and its affiliates may exercise any rights and remedies as provided in this Guaranty and other Loan Documents, or as provided at law or equity. Guarantor shall pay interest on the Guaranteed Obligations from such Default at the highest rate of interest charged on any of the Guaranteed Obligations.

ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND OTHER COSTS OF COLLECTION. Guarantor shall pay all of Bank’s and, in respect of any swap agreements, its affiliates’ reasonable expenses incurred to enforce or collect any of the Guaranteed Obligations, including, without limitation, reasonable arbitration, paralegals’, attorneys’ and experts’ fees and expenses, whether incurred without the commencement of a suit, in any suit, arbitration, or administrative proceeding, or in any appellate or bankruptcy proceeding.

SUBORDINATION OF OTHER DEBTS. Guarantor agrees: (a) to subordinate the obligations now or hereafter owed by Borrower to Guarantor (“Subordinated Debt”) to any and all obligations of Borrower to Bank or its affiliates now or hereafter existing while this Guaranty is in effect, provided however that Guarantor may receive regularly scheduled principal and interest payments on the Subordinated Debt so long as (i) all sums due and payable by Borrower to Bank and its affiliates have been paid in full on or prior to such date, and (ii) no event or condition which constitutes or which with notice or the lapse or time would constitute an event of default with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations shall be continuing on or as of the payment date; (b) Guarantor will endeavor to place a legend indicating such subordination on every note, ledger page or other document evidencing any part of the Subordinated Debt or deliver such documents to Bank; and (c) except as permitted by this paragraph, Guarantor will not request or accept payment of or any security for any part of the Subordinated Debt, and any proceeds of the Subordinated


Debt paid to Guarantor, through error or otherwise, shall immediately be forwarded to Bank by Guarantor, properly endorsed to the order of Bank, to apply to the Guaranteed Obligations.

MISCELLANEOUS. Assignment. This Guaranty and other Loan Documents shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns. Bank’s interests in and rights under this Guaranty and other Loan Documents are freely assignable, in whole or in part, by Bank. Any assignment shall not release Guarantor from the Guaranteed Obligations. Organization; Powers. Guarantor (i) is (a) an adult individual and is sui juris, or (b) a corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity (as indicated below), duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of organization, and is authorized to do business in each other jurisdiction wherein its ownership of property or conduct of business legally requires such organization, (ii) has the power and authority to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted and as now contemplated; and (iii) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform, and by all necessary action has authorized the execution, delivery and performance of, all of its obligations under this Guaranty and any other Loan Document to which it is a party. Applicable Law; Conflict Between Documents. This Guaranty shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the state named in Bank’s address shown above without regard to that state’s conflict of laws principles. If the terms of this Guaranty should conflict with the terms of any commitment letter that survives closing, the terms of this Guaranty shall control. Guarantor’s Accounts. Except as prohibited by law, Guarantor grants Bank and its affiliates a security interest in all of Guarantor’s accounts with Bank and its affiliates. Jurisdiction. Guarantor irrevocably agrees to non-exclusive personal jurisdiction in the state named in Bank’s address shown above. Severability. If any provision of this Guaranty or of the other Loan Documents shall be prohibited or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective but only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty or other Loan Documents. Notices. Any notices to Guarantor shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed or delivered to Guarantor’s address shown above or such other address as provided hereunder, and to Bank, if in writing and mailed or delivered to Wachovia Bank, National Association, 12 East 49th Street, New York, New York 10017 or such other address as Bank may specify in writing from time to time. Notices to Bank must include the mail code. In the event that Guarantor changes Guarantor’s address at any time prior to the date the Guaranteed Obligations are paid in full, Guarantor agrees to promptly give written notice of said change of address to Bank by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, all charges prepaid. Plural; Captions. All references in the Loan Documents to borrower, guarantor, person, document or other nouns of reference mean both the singular and plural form, as the case may be, and the term “person” shall mean any individual person or entity. The captions contained in the Loan Documents are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of the Loan Documents. Binding Contract. Guarantor by execution of and Bank by acceptance of this Guaranty agree that each party is bound to all terms and provisions of this Guaranty. Amendments, Waivers and Remedies. No waivers, amendments or modifications of this Guaranty and other Loan Documents shall be valid unless in writing and signed by an officer of Bank. No waiver by Bank or its affiliates of any Default shall operate as a waiver of any other Default or the same Default on a future occasion. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of Bank or its affiliates in exercising any right, power, or privilege granted pursuant to this Guaranty and other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. All remedies available to Bank or its affiliates with respect to this Guaranty and other Loan Documents and remedies available at law or in equity shall be cumulative and may be pursued concurrently or successively. Partnerships. If Guarantor is a partnership, the obligations, liabilities and agreements on the part of Guarantor shall remain in full force and effect and fully applicable notwithstanding any changes in the individuals comprising the partnership. The term “Guarantor” includes any altered or successive partnerships, and predecessor partnership(s) and the partners shall not be released from any obligations or liabilities hereunder. Loan Documents. The term “Loan Documents” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Notes. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY; WAIVER OF PUNITIVE DAMAGES. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO, INCLUDING BANK BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES THAT IN ANY JUDICIAL, MEDIATION OR ARBITRATION


PROCEEDING OR ANY CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF OR BE IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM OR THE OBLIGATIONS EVIDENCED HEREBY OR RELATED HERETO, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY HAVE A REMEDY OF, OR BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR, (1) INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR (2) PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT OR CLAIM TO PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES THEY MAY HAVE OR WHICH MAY ARISE IN THE FUTURE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY, WHETHER THE SAME IS RESOLVED BY ARBITRATION, MEDIATION, JUDICIALLY OR OTHERWISE. FINAL AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the final agreement between the parties and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties. There are no unwritten oral agreements between the parties.

FINANCIAL COVENANTS. Guarantor agrees to the following provisions from the date hereof until final payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, unless Bank shall otherwise consent in writing, using the financial information for Guarantor, its subsidiaries, affiliates and its holding or parent company, as applicable: Net Worth.  Wellsford Real Properties, Inc. shall maintain a Net Worth of not less than $15,000,000, and Frank J. Sciame shall maintain a Net Worth of not less than $20,000,000, in each case measured quarterly calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) based on, in the case of Wellsford Real Properties, Inc., its 10Q and 10K Statements, and in the case of Frank J. Sciame, on his financial statements. “Net Worth” shall mean total assets minus Total Liabilities. “Total Liabilities” shall mean all liabilities of Guarantor, including capitalized leases and all reserves for deferred taxes, debt fully subordinated to Bank on terms and conditions acceptable to Bank, and other deferred sums appearing on the liabilities side of a balance sheet and all obligations as lessee under off-balance sheet synthetic leases of Guarantor, all in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.  Liquidity Requirement. Wellsford Real Properties, Inc. shall maintain Liquid Assets of not less than $10,000,000, and Frank J. Sciame shall maintain Liquid Assets of not less than $1,500,000, in each case measured quarterly calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) based on, in the case of Wellsford Real Properties, Inc., its 10Q and 10K Statements, and in the case of Frank J. Sciame, on his financial statements. “Liquid Assets” shall mean the sum of all cash, time deposits and marketable securities.

FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION. Wellsford Real Properties, Inc. shall deliver to Bank within 30 days after submission of same to the SEC copies of its 10Q and 10K Statements. Frank J. Sciame shall deliver to Bank such information as Bank may reasonably request from time to time, including without limitation, financial statements and information pertaining to Frank J. Sciame’s financial condition. Such information shall be true, complete, and accurate.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS. Guarantor agrees that from the date hereof and until final payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, unless Bank shall otherwise consent in writing, Guarantor will not:   Default on Other Contracts or Obligations. Default on any material contract with or obligation when due to a third party or default in the performance of any obligation to a third party incurred for money borrowed in connection with the Project that is subject to the Loan.

TAX RETURNS. Guarantor shall deliver to Bank, within 30 days of filing, complete copies of federal and state tax returns, as applicable, together with all schedules thereto, each of which shall be signed and certified by Guarantor to be true and complete copies of such returns. In the event an extension is filed, Guarantor shall deliver a copy of the extension within 30 days of filing.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OF GUARANTOR BY EXECUTION HEREOF AND BANK BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED ON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY AGREEMENT CONTEMPLATED TO BE


EXECUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY WITH RESPECT HERETO. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO BANK TO ACCEPT THIS GUARANTY. EACH OF THE PARTIES AGREES THAT THE TERMS HEREOF SHALL SUPERSEDE AND REPLACE ANY PRIOR AGREEMENT RELATED TO ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES BETWEEN THE PARTIES CONTAINED IN ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT HERETOFORE EXECUTED IN CONNECTION WITH, RELATED TO OR BEING REPLACED, SUPPLEMENTED, EXTENDED OR MODIFIED BY, THIS GUARANTY.


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantor, on the day and year first written above, has caused this Unconditional Guaranty to be executed.



  /s/ Frank J. Sciame
  FRANK J. SCIAME


  WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.


  By: /s/ William H. Darrow
 
Name:
     William H. Darrow II

Title:
     Vice President