e424b5
The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not
complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities, and we are
not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or other
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-158195
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED DECEMBER 2, 2009
Preliminary prospectus supplement to prospectus dated April 6, 2009
$
% Senior Notes due
We are offering $ aggregate principal amount of our % Senior Notes due . The notes will
mature
on . We will pay interest on the notes semi-annually in arrears on and
of each year, commencing on , 2010. Interest will accrue from December , 2009.
We may, at our option, redeem the notes in whole or in part at any time and from time to time at
the redemption price described under “Description of the Notes and Guarantees — Optional
Redemption.” The notes are our senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The notes will be
unconditionally guaranteed by the guarantors listed on Annex A to this prospectus supplement.
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or included in any automated dealer
quotation system.
Investing in our notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus
supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2008 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2009.
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Per Note |
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Public offering price(1) |
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Plus accrued interest from December , 2009, if settlement occurs after that date. |
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Before deducting expenses payable by us, estimated at $400,000. |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The notes will be ready for delivery in book-entry only form through The Depository Trust Company
for the accounts of its participants, including Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, and Euroclear
Bank S.A./N.V., on or about December , 2009.
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Joint Book-Running Managers |
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BofA Merrill Lynch
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J.P. Morgan
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Wells Fargo Securities |
The date of this prospectus supplement is December , 2009.
You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus related to this
offering prepared by us or on our behalf or otherwise authorized by us. We have not, and the
underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information and if anyone
provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and
the underwriters are not, making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer
or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus
supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated
by reference herein and therein is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our
business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed
since those dates.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Prospectus Supplement |
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S-1 |
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S-1 |
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S-3 |
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S-6 |
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S-8 |
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S-8 |
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S-9 |
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S-19 |
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S-20 |
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S-21 |
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Prospectus |
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Important Information About This Prospectus |
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Forward-Looking Information |
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Our Company |
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
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Use of Proceeds |
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Description of Common and Preferred Stock |
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Description of Depositary Shares |
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Description of Debt Securities |
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Description of Warrants |
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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations |
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Plan of Distribution |
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Legal Matters |
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Experts |
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Where You Can Find More Information |
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Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference |
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Unless we have indicated, or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus
supplement to “Equity One,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar terms are to Equity One, Inc. and its
subsidiaries.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
We are providing information to you about this offering of our notes in two parts. The first part
is this prospectus supplement, which provides the specific details regarding this offering. The
second part is the accompanying base prospectus, which provides general information. Generally,
when we refer to this “prospectus,” we are referring to both documents combined. Some of the
information in the base prospectus may not apply to this offering. If information in the prospectus
supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying base prospectus, you should rely on this
prospectus supplement.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain matters discussed in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus and the
information incorporated by reference herein and therein contain “forward-looking statements” for
purposes of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on current
expectations and are not guarantees of future performance.
All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, and can
be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “might,” “would,”
“expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,”
“forecast,” “target,” “plan,” or “continue” or the negative of these words or other variations or
comparable terminology. Such statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Because these statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or
implied by the forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on those
statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus supplement.
Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are:
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general economic conditions, including the current recession, competition and the supply
of and demand for shopping center properties in our markets; |
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risks that tenants will not remain in occupancy or pay rent, or pay reduced rent due to
declines in their businesses; |
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interest rate levels and the availability of financing; |
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potential environmental liability and other risks associated with the ownership,
development and acquisition of shopping center properties; |
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greater than anticipated construction or operating costs; |
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inflationary, deflationary and other general economic trends; |
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the effects of hurricanes and other natural disasters; |
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the effects of the consolidation for financial reporting purposes of the financial
results and position of DIM Vastgoed N.V., or DIM, a public company organized under the
laws of the Netherlands that operates as a closed-end investment company owning and
operating a portfolio of 21 shopping center properties southeastern United States, of which
we obtained majority voting control during the first quarter of 2009; |
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management’s ability to successfully combine and integrate the properties and operations
of separate companies that we have acquired in the past or may acquire in the future; |
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impairment charges; and |
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other risks detailed from time to time in the reports filed by us with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. |
S-1
Except for our ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by federal
securities laws, we undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect
the occurrence of unanticipated events. All of the above factors are difficult to predict, contain
uncertainties that may materially affect our actual results and may be beyond our control. New
factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for our management to predict all of such
factors or to assess the effect of each factor on our business.
Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein
are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore any of these statements
included in this document or in the documents incorporated by reference may prove to be inaccurate.
In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included in
this document, the inclusion of this information should not be regarded as a representation by us
or by any other person that the results or conditions described in such statements or our
objectives and plans will be achieved.
S-2
SUMMARY
You should read this prospectus supplement along with the accompanying prospectus, as well as
the information contained in or incorporated by reference herein and therein, carefully before you
invest in the notes. These documents contain important information that you should consider before
making your investment decision. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain
the terms of this offering of notes. The accompanying prospectus contains information about our
securities generally, some of which does not apply to the notes covered by this prospectus
supplement. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in or
incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. If the information in this prospectus
supplement is inconsistent with any information contained in or incorporated by reference in the
accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement will apply and will
supersede the inconsistent information contained in or incorporated by reference in the
accompanying prospectus. For more information about documents incorporated by reference, see
“Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” in the
accompanying prospectus.
The Company
We are a real estate investment trust, or REIT, that owns, manages, acquires, develops and
redevelops neighborhood and community shopping centers. As of September 30, 2009, our consolidated
property portfolio comprised 180 properties, including 166 shopping centers consisting of an
aggregate of approximately 18.9 million square feet of gross leasable area, or GLA, four
development/redevelopment properties, six non-retail properties, and four parcels of land held for
development. Included in our consolidated property portfolio are 21 shopping centers consisting of
approximately 2.6 million square feet of GLA owned by DIM, the shares of which are listed on the
NYSE Euronext Amsterdam. We acquired a controlling stake in DIM in January 2009. As of September
30, 2009, our core portfolio, which does not include DIM, was 90.1% leased and included national,
regional and local tenants. As of September 30, 2009, the DIM properties were 91.1% leased.
In addition, we own a 10% unconsolidated interest in GRI-EQY I, LLC, a joint venture that owns
10 neighborhood shopping centers totaling approximately 1.4 million square feet of GLA as of
September 30, 2009. These properties were 93.0% leased as of September 30, 2009. We also own a 20%
unconsolidated interest in G&I VI Investment South Florida Portfolio LLC, a joint venture that owns
one office building and two neighborhood shopping centers totaling approximately 503,000 square
feet of GLA. These properties were 66.8% leased at September 30, 2009.
Our primary objective is to maximize stockholder value by generating sustainable cash flow
growth and increasing the value of our real estate assets. To achieve our objective, we lease and
manage our shopping centers primarily with experienced, in-house personnel. We acquire neighborhood
or community shopping centers that either have leading anchor tenants or contain a mix of tenants
which reflect the shopping needs of the communities they serve. We also develop and redevelop
shopping centers on a tenant-driven basis, leveraging either existing tenant relationships or
geographic and demographic knowledge while seeking to minimize risks associated with such
development or redevelopment.
We were organized as a Maryland corporation in 1992, completed our initial public offering in
May 1998, and have elected to be taxed as a REIT since 1995. We maintain our principal executive
and management office at 1600 N.E. Miami Gardens Drive, North Miami Beach, Florida 33179, in the
Shops at Skylake. Our phone number is (305) 947-1664.
Recent Developments
Repayment of DIM Mortgages. On October 1, 2009, we repaid two of DIM’s mortgage loans that
were secured by DIM’s Carolina Pavilion property and that matured on that date. The aggregate
balances of these loans at maturity were approximately $52.0 million, which were repaid from a
combination of borrowings under our line of credit and available cash.
Property Acquisitions. On October 29, 2009, we acquired Westbury Plaza, a 398,602 square foot
shopping center located in Westbury, New York and anchored by Costco, Wal-Mart and other national
big-box retailers for approximately $103.7 million. The purchase price was funded by available cash
on hand, 1031 escrow deposits and borrowings from our line of credit.
S-3
On November 16, 2009, we acquired a 22-acre property adjacent to Westbury Plaza for
approximately $24.5 million. The purchase price was funded by available cash on hand, 1031 escrow
deposits and borrowings from our line of credit.
Dividend Policy. In an effort to maintain financial flexibility given our strategic growth
objectives, on November 4, 2009, our Board of Directors announced our new dividend policy and
declared a cash dividend of $0.22 per share of our common stock for the quarter ending December 31,
2009, payable on that date to stockholders of record on December 15, 2009. The $0.22 per share
dividend represents an annualized rate of $0.88 per share compared to the previous annual dividend
of $1.20 per share.
S-4
The Offering
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Issuer
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Equity One, Inc. |
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Securities Offered
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$ aggregate principal amount of % Senior Notes due |
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Maturity Date |
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Interest Payment Dates
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and of each year, beginning on , 2010 |
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Sinking Fund
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None |
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Optional Redemption
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We may, at our option, redeem some or all of the notes at any time and
from time to time for a price equal to the principal amount of the notes
being redeemed plus accrued interest and a make-whole amount. See
“Description of the Notes and Guarantees — Optional Redemption” in this
prospectus supplement. |
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Ranking
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The notes are our unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all
of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time
outstanding. However, the notes will be effectively subordinated to our
mortgage and other secured indebtedness and certain liabilities of our
subsidiaries. See “Description of the Notes and Guarantees — General”
and “Risk Factors — Claims of the Creditors of our Subsidiaries will
have Priority with Respect to the Assets and Earnings of those
Subsidiaries over your Claims” in this prospectus supplement. |
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Guarantees
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The notes will be unconditionally guaranteed by the guarantors listed on
Annex A to this prospectus supplement. However, the guarantees are
unsecured obligations of the guarantors and are effectively subordinated
to any mortgage and other secured indebtedness of the guarantors. See
“Description of the Notes and Guarantees — Guarantees.” |
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Covenants
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The notes and the indenture governing the notes contain covenants: |
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• limiting our ability and that of our subsidiaries to incur debt; |
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• requiring us and our subsidiaries to maintain unencumbered assets of
not less than 150% of the aggregate principal amount of all our and our
subsidiaries’ outstanding unsecured debt on a consolidated basis; and |
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• limiting our ability to consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all
or substantially all of our assets to, or merge with any other entity. |
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These covenants, however, are subject to exceptions. See “Description of
the Notes and Guarantees — Certain Covenants” in this prospectus
supplement and “Description of Debt Securities — Certain Covenants” and
“— Merger, Consolidation or Sale” in the accompanying base prospectus. |
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Reopening of Issue
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We may, from time to time and without the consent of the holders, reopen
an issue of notes and issue additional notes with the same terms
(including maturity and interest payment terms) as notes issued on any
earlier date. After such additional notes are issued, they will be
fungible with the previously issued notes to the extent specified in the
applicable supplemental indenture. |
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Use of Proceeds
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We will use the net proceeds from this offering to reduce the
outstanding balance under our unsecured revolving credit facility, to
repay or reduce other indebtedness and/or for general corporate
purposes, including future acquisitions, redevelopments and
developments. See “Use of Proceeds.” |
You should read the “Risk Factors” section, beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and
those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, and the other documents
incorporated herein by reference to understand the risks associated with an investment in our
notes.
S-5
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our notes involves significant risks. You should consult with your own
financial and legal advisers and carefully consider, among other matters, the following risks and
those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, and the other documents incorporated
herein by reference. You should carefully consider the risks described below and the other
information in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus before you decide to buy our
notes. The value of our notes could decline due to any of these risks, and you could lose all or
part of your investment.
Our Redemption of the Notes may Adversely Affect Your Return.
We have the right to redeem some or all of the notes prior to maturity. We may choose to
redeem the notes at times when prevailing interest rates are relatively low. As a result, you may
not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest
rate as high as the rate on the notes being redeemed.
The Trading Market for the Notes may be Limited, and Many Factors will Affect the Trading and
Market Values of the Notes.
Upon issuance, the notes will not have an established trading market and will not be listed on
the New York Stock Exchange or any other securities exchange. We cannot assure you that a trading
market for the notes will develop or be maintained if developed. In addition to our
creditworthiness, many factors affect the trading market for, and the trading value of, the notes.
These factors include:
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the time remaining to the maturity of the notes; |
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the outstanding amount of notes generally; |
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any redemption features of the notes; and |
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the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally. |
There may be a limited number of buyers when you decide to sell your notes. This may affect
the price you receive for your notes or your ability to sell your notes at all. You should not
purchase the notes unless you understand and know that you can bear all of the investment risks
involving the notes.
Claims of the Creditors of our Subsidiaries will have Priority with Respect to the Assets and
Earnings of those Subsidiaries over your Claims.
All of the notes offered hereby will be our obligations. The payment of principal and any
premium, Make-Whole Amount (defined below), or interest on the notes will be guaranteed on a senior
basis by the guarantors listed on Annex A to this prospectus supplement. All of the guarantors are
direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Equity One. Not all of our subsidiaries are
guarantors of the notes. The guarantors consist only of those existing subsidiaries that own
property and have previously guaranteed senior debt of Equity One or its predecessors. Based on
gross property cost, as of September 30, 2009, the guarantors owned approximately $265.2 million,
or 12.4% of our gross real property, of which $217.7 million was unencumbered, and our
non-guarantor subsidiaries owned approximately $860.8 million, or 40.3% of our gross real property,
of which $342.5 million was unencumbered.
A significant portion of our operations is conducted through our subsidiaries. Accordingly,
our cash flow and our ability to service our debt, including the notes, will depend partially upon
the earnings of our subsidiaries, and the distribution of those earnings to us, or upon loans or
other payments of funds made to us by our subsidiaries. In addition, debt or other agreements of
our subsidiaries may impose restrictions that affect, among other things, the ability of our
subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions or loans to us.
Likewise, a significant portion of our consolidated assets are owned by our subsidiaries,
effectively subordinating our payment of principal and any premium, Make-Whole Amount (defined
below), or interest on the notes to all existing and future liabilities, including indebtedness of
our subsidiaries. Therefore, our rights and the rights of our creditors, including the holders of
notes, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization will
be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that
S-6
a
subsidiary is a guarantor or to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with enforceable
claims against the subsidiary.
In addition, although all of the guarantors will guaranty our notes and other senior
indebtedness on a senior basis, those guarantees will be subject to the security interests in such
subsidiaries’ assets as described below.
A Significant Portion of the Properties of Equity One and its Subsidiaries are Encumbered by
Mortgages, Effectively Subordinating the Claims of Note Holders to Secured Creditors.
Approximately $621.6 million at September 30, 2009 of the properties held by us and our
subsidiaries secure our indebtedness other than the notes, including $47.5 million of the
guarantors’ indebtedness. The notes are not secured by any of our assets or those of our
subsidiaries. As a result, the notes will be structurally subordinated to any secured debt we or
our subsidiaries have or may incur. In addition, our secured indebtedness and that of our
subsidiaries reduces the amount of borrowings we can incur under our bank credit facilities,
potentially reducing our financial flexibility.
The Guarantees may not be Enforceable because of Fraudulent Conveyance Laws.
The guarantors’ guarantees of the notes may be subject to review under federal bankruptcy law
or relevant state fraudulent conveyance laws if a bankruptcy lawsuit is commenced by or on behalf
of our or the guarantors’ unpaid creditors. Under these laws, if in such a lawsuit a court were to
find that, at the time a guarantor incurred debt (including debt represented by the guaranty), such
guarantor:
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incurred this debt with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding current or future
creditors; |
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received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for
incurring this debt and the guarantor; |
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was insolvent or was rendered insolvent by reason of the related financing transactions; |
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was engaged, or about to engage, in a business or transaction for which its
remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital to carry on its business; or |
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intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to
pay these debts as they mature, as all of the foregoing terms are defined in or
interpreted under the relevant fraudulent transfer or conveyance statutes; |
then the court could void the guaranty or subordinate the amounts owing under the guaranty to
the guarantor’s presently existing or future debt or take other actions detrimental to you.
The measure of insolvency for purposes of the foregoing considerations will vary depending
upon the law of the jurisdiction that is being applied in any such proceeding. Generally, an entity
would be considered insolvent if, at the time it incurred the debt or issued the guaranty:
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it could not pay its debts or contingent liabilities as they become due; |
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the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, is greater than its assets, at fair
valuation; or |
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the present fair saleable value of its assets is less than the amount required
to pay the probable liability on its total existing debts and liabilities, including
contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature. |
If a guaranty is voided as a fraudulent conveyance or found to be unenforceable for any other
reason, you will not have a claim against that obligor and will only be our creditor or that of any
guarantor whose obligation was not set aside or found to be unenforceable. In addition, the loss of
a guaranty of a significant subsidiary will constitute a default under the indenture, which default
would cause all outstanding notes to become immediately due and payable.
We believe that, at the time the guarantors initially incur the debt represented by the
guarantees under the notes, the guarantors:
S-7
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will not be insolvent or rendered insolvent by the incurrence; |
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will have sufficient capital to run our or their businesses effectively; and |
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will be able to pay obligations on the notes and the guarantees as they mature or become
due. |
In reaching the foregoing conclusions we have relied upon our analyses of internal cash flow
projections and estimated values of the assets and liabilities of the guarantors. In addition, we
have relied on a limitation to be contained in the guarantors’ guarantees that limits each guaranty
as necessary to prevent it from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law; however,
a court passing on these questions might not reach the same conclusions.
Changes in Our Credit Ratings may Adversely Affect Your Investment in the Notes.
Our senior notes are currently rated Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service and BBB- by Standard &
Poor’s. These ratings are based on current information furnished to the rating agencies by us and
obtained from other sources. Credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any
security, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization in its sole
discretion. Neither we nor any underwriter undertakes any obligation to maintain the ratings or to
advise holders of notes of any change in ratings. Each agency’s rating should be evaluated
independently of any other agency’s rating. Actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings,
including any announcement that our ratings are under review for a downgrade, could affect the
value and liquidity of the notes.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was 2.11x.
For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings were calculated using
pretax income from continuing operations before adjustment for minority interest and equity in
joint ventures, adding fixed charges and distributed income from joint ventures and subtracting
interest capitalized. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and capitalized, amortization of
premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness. There are no periods in which
earnings were insufficient to cover combined fixed charges. To date, we have not issued preferred
stock or incurred any preferred stock dividends.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds from the offering of the notes will be approximately $
million after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We
intend to use the net proceeds from the offering of our notes to reduce the outstanding balance
under our unsecured revolving credit facility, to repay or reduce other indebtedness, including
mortgage indebtedness on certain of our properties with an aggregate principal balance as of
September 30, 2009 of approximately $73.9 million, bearing interest at rates ranging from 7.65% to
8.74% and maturing on various dates between February and September, 2010, and/or for general
corporate purposes, including future acquisitions, redevelopments and developments. The unsecured
revolving credit facility matures on October 17, 2011 with a one-year extension option and, as of
September 30, 2009, bears interest at rate of 1.65%. As of November 24, 2009, we had approximately
$183.0 million outstanding under this facility. Affiliates of one or more of the underwriters are
lenders under our unsecured revolving credit facility and, therefore, may receive a share of the
net proceeds of the offering, to the extent such proceeds are used to reduce any outstanding
borrowings owed under our unsecured revolving credit facility.
S-8
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES AND GUARANTEES
The following description of the particular terms of the notes offered hereby supplements, and
to the extent inconsistent replaces, the description of the general terms and provisions of the
debt securities set forth under the caption “Description of Debt Securities” in the accompanying
prospectus.
The notes constitute a separate series of securities to be issued under the Indenture, dated
as of September 9, 1998, as supplemented by Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of September 9,
1998, Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of November 1, 1999, Supplemental Indenture No. 3,
dated as of February 12, 2003, Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of March 26, 2004,
Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated as of April 23, 2004, Supplemental Indenture No. 6, dated as of
May 20, 2005, Supplemental Indenture No. 7, dated as of September 20, 2005, Supplemental Indenture
No. 8, dated as of December 30, 2005, Supplemental Indenture No. 9, dated as of March 10, 2006,
Supplemental Indenture No. 10, dated as of August 18, 2006, Supplemental Indenture No. 11, dated as
of April 18, 2007, and Supplemental Indenture No. 12, to be dated as of December , 2009, among us
(in some cases as successor to IRT Property Company), the guarantors listed on Annex A to this
prospectus supplement, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as successor to SunTrust
Bank (formerly SunTrust Bank Atlanta), as trustee, setting forth the principal, interest and other
terms of the notes. The terms of the notes will include those provisions contained in the indenture
and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
The following summary of the notes is qualified in its entirety by reference to the indenture. In
the summary below, we have included references to the section numbers of the indenture so that you
can easily locate the related provisions in the indenture for additional detail. You should also
refer to the indenture for the definitions of any capitalized terms that we use below but do not
describe in this prospectus supplement. When we refer to particular sections of the indenture or to
defined terms in the indenture, we intend to incorporate by reference those sections and defined
terms into this prospectus supplement.
General
The notes will be issued in an aggregate principal amount of $ million. The notes will be our
direct, unsecured general obligations and will rank equally with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness outstanding from time to time. However, the notes are effectively
subordinated to our mortgages and other secured indebtedness and certain liabilities of our
subsidiaries. We had approximately $621.6 million of secured debt outstanding at September 30,
2009. Our total outstanding indebtedness at that date (consisting of our indebtedness and the
indebtedness of our consolidated subsidiaries) was approximately $1.1 billion. Our total
outstanding indebtedness as of November 24, 2009 (consisting of our indebtedness and the
indebtedness of our consolidated subsidiaries) was approximately $1.2 billion.
Except as described under “— Certain Covenants — Limitations on Incurrence of Debt” below
and under “Description of Debt Securities — Merger, Consolidation or Sale” in the accompanying
prospectus, the indenture does not contain any provisions that would limit our ability to incur
indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, or that would afford holders of the notes protection
in the event of (i) a recapitalization transaction, (ii) a change of control of us or (iii) a
merger, consolidation or transfer or lease of substantially all of our assets or similar
transaction that may adversely affect the holders of the notes. We may, in the future, enter into
certain transactions such as the sale of all or substantially all of our assets or a merger or
consolidation that may increase the amount of our indebtedness or substantially change our assets,
which may have an adverse effect on our ability to service our indebtedness, including the notes.
The notes will only be issued in fully registered book-entry form in minimum denominations of
$2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. See “— Book-Entry System” below.
Principal and Interest
The notes will bear interest at % per year and will mature on
. The notes will
bear interest from December , 2009, payable semi-annually in arrears on and
of each year, commencing on , 2010 (each such date being an “interest payment date”) to
the persons in whose name the applicable notes are registered in the security register on the
preceding or , whether or not a business day, as the case may be. Interest
on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
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If any interest payment date or stated maturity falls on a day that is not a business day, the
required payment shall be made on the next business day as if it were made on the date such payment
was due and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such
interest payment date or the maturity date,
as the case may be. “Business day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which
banks in the City of New York or in the City of Atlanta are not required or authorized by law,
regulation or executive order to close.
The principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount (defined below), or interest on, the
notes will be payable at the office or agency maintained by us for that purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall initially be located at: U.S. Bank National
Association, 100 Wall Street, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10005. At our option,
however, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled
thereto as it appears in the security register or by wire transfer of funds to that person at an
account maintained within the United States (Sections 301, 305, 307 and 1002).
Further Issuances
We may, without the consent of the holders, increase the principal amount of the notes by
issuing additional notes in the future on the same terms and conditions, except for any differences
in the issue price and interest accrued prior to the issue date of the additional notes, and with
the same CUSIP number as the notes offered hereby. Any additional notes would rank equally and
ratably with the notes offered by this prospectus supplement and would be treated as a single class
for all purposes under the indenture.
Guarantees
The notes will be guaranteed by the guarantors listed on Annex A to this prospectus supplement
as to the payment of principal and any premium, Make-Whole Amount or interest as described in the
accompanying prospectus under “Description of Debt Securities — Guarantees.” All of the guarantors
are direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Equity One. Not all of our subsidiaries are
guarantors of the notes. The guarantors consist only of those existing subsidiaries that own
property and previously guaranteed senior debt of Equity One or its predecessors. Based on gross
property cost, as of September 30, 2009, the guarantors owned approximately $265.2 million, or
12.4% of our gross real property, of which $217.7 million was unencumbered, and our non-guarantor
subsidiaries owned approximately $860.8 million, or 40.3% of our gross real property, of which
$342.5 million was unencumbered.
The guarantees of the notes are:
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unsecured obligations of the guarantors; |
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effectively subordinated to any mortgages and other secured indebtedness of
the guarantors; and |
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rank equally with prior guarantees by the guarantors of our other debt and
the guarantors’ other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time
outstanding. |
The indenture further provides that any payments made pursuant to the guarantees shall be made
available for distribution equally and ratably among the holders of the notes and the holders of
any other of our and the guarantors’ existing or future unsecured and non-subordinated debt. As of
September 30, 2009, the guarantors had approximately $47.5 million of outstanding indebtedness all
of which was secured by properties owned by the guarantors.
Optional Redemption
We may redeem the notes at our option and in our sole discretion, at any time in whole or from
time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to the sum of:
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the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus accrued interest
thereon to the redemption date; and |
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the Make-Whole Amount, if any, with respect to such notes. |
If notice of redemption has been given as provided in the indenture and funds for the
redemption of any notes called for redemption shall have been made available on the redemption date
specified in such notice, such
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notes will cease to bear interest on the date fixed for such
redemption specified in such notice and shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and the only
right of the holders of the notes will be to receive payment of the redemption price upon surrender
of the notes in accordance with such notice (Sections 101 and 1106).
Notice of any optional redemption of any notes will be given to holders at their addresses, as
shown in the security register, not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for
redemption. The notice of
redemption will specify, among other items, the redemption price and the principal amount of
the notes held by each holder to be redeemed (Section 1104).
If, at our option and in our sole discretion, we choose to redeem less than all of the notes,
we will notify the trustee at least 45 days prior to giving notice of redemption (or such shorter
period as is satisfactory to the trustee) of the aggregate principal amount of notes to be redeemed
and their redemption date. The trustee shall select not more than 60 days prior to the redemption
date, in such manner as it shall deem fair and appropriate, the notes to be redeemed in whole or in
part (Sections 1102 and 1103).
As used in this prospectus supplement, “Make-Whole Amount” means, in connection with any
optional redemption or accelerated payment of any notes, the excess, if any, of:
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the aggregate present value as of the date of such redemption or accelerated
payment of each dollar of principal being redeemed or paid and the amount of interest
(exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption or accelerated payment) that
would have been payable in respect of each such dollar if such redemption or
accelerated payment had not been made, determined by discounting, on a semi-annual
basis (on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), such
principal and interest at the Reinvestment Rate (determined on the third business day
preceding the date such notice of redemption is given or declaration of acceleration
is made) from the respective dates on which such principal and interest would have
been payable if such redemption or accelerated payment had not been made to the date
of redemption or accelerated payment; over |
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the aggregate principal amount of the notes being redeemed or paid. |
For the purposes of the indenture, all references to any “premium” on the notes shall be
deemed to refer to any Make-Whole Amount, unless the context otherwise requires.
“Reinvestment Rate” means % plus the arithmetic mean of the yields under the heading “Week
Ending” published in the most recent Statistical Release under the caption “Treasury Constant
Maturities” for the maturity (rounded to the nearest month) corresponding to the remaining life to
maturity of the notes, as of the payment date of the principal being redeemed or paid. If no
maturity exactly corresponds to such maturity, yields for the two published maturities most closely
corresponding to such maturity shall be calculated pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence
and the Reinvestment Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line
basis, rounding each of such relevant periods to the nearest month. For the purposes of calculating
the Reinvestment Rate, the most recent Statistical Release published prior to the date of
determination of the Make-Whole Amount shall be used.
“Statistical Release” means the statistical release designated “H.15(519)” or any successor
publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and
which reports yields on actively traded United States government securities adjusted to constant
maturities, or, if such statistical release is not published at the time of any determination of
the Make-Whole Amount, then such other reasonably comparable index which shall be designated by us.
Certain Covenants
Limitations on Incurrence of Debt
We will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary (as defined below) to, incur any Debt (as
defined below) if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional Debt and
the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all of our and our
Subsidiaries’ outstanding Debt on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP is
greater than 60% of the sum of (without duplication):
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our and our Subsidiaries’ Total Assets (as defined below) as of the end of
the latest calendar quarter covered in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, most recently filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, with the trustee) prior to the incurrence of such additional
Debt; and |
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the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable
acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent
that such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable
or used to reduce Debt), by us or any Subsidiary since
the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection
with the incurrence of such additional Debt. |
In addition to the foregoing limitation on the incurrence of Debt, we will not, and will not
permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Debt secured by any Encumbrance (as defined below) upon any of
our or any Subsidiary’s property if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such
additional Debt and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all
of our and our Subsidiaries’ outstanding Debt on a consolidated basis which is secured by any
Encumbrance on property of ours or any Subsidiary is greater than 40% of the sum of (without
duplication):
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our and our Subsidiaries’ Total Assets as of the end of the latest calendar
quarter covered in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as
the case my be, most recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or,
if such filing is not permitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
with the trustee) prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt; and |
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the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable
acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent
that such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable
or used to reduce Debt), by us or any Subsidiary since the end of such calendar
quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such
additional Debt. |
We and our Subsidiaries may not at any time own Total Unencumbered Assets (as defined below)
equal to less than 150% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of our and our Subsidiaries’
Unsecured Debt (as defined below) on a consolidated basis.
In addition to the foregoing limitations on the incurrence of Debt, we will not, and will not
permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Debt if the ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt
Service (as defined below) to the Annual Service Charge (as defined below) for the four consecutive
fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to the date on which such additional Debt is to be
incurred shall have been less than 1.5:1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect thereto and to
the application of the proceeds therefrom, and calculated on the assumption that:
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such Debt and any other Debt incurred by us and our Subsidiaries since the
first day of such four-quarter period and the application of the proceeds therefrom,
including to refinance other Debt, had occurred at the beginning of such period; |
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the repayment or retirement of any other Debt by us and our Subsidiaries
since the first day of such four-quarter period had been repaid or retired at the
beginning of such period (except that, in making such computation, the amount of Debt
under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily
balance of such debt during such period); |
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in the case of Acquired Debt (as defined below) or Debt incurred in
connection with any acquisition since the first day of such four-quarter period, the
related acquisition had occurred as of the first day of such period with the
appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition being included in such pro
forma calculation; and |
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in the case of any acquisition or disposition by us or our Subsidiaries of
any asset or group of assets since the first day of such four-quarter period, whether
by merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset purchase or sale, such acquisition or
disposition or any related repayment of Debt had occurred as of the first day of such
period with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition or
disposition being included in such pro forma calculation. |
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As used herein, and in the indenture: |
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“Acquired Debt” means Debt of a person (i) existing at the time such person
becomes a Subsidiary or (ii) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from
such person, in each case, other than Debt incurred in connection with, or in
contemplation of, such person becoming a Subsidiary or such acquisition. Acquired Debt
shall be deemed to be incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from
any person or the date the acquired person becomes a Subsidiary; |
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“Annual Service Charge,” for any period, means the maximum amount which is
payable during such period for interest on, and the amortization during such period of
any original issue discount of, Debt of ours and our Subsidiaries and the amount of
dividends which are payable during such period in respect of any Disqualified Stock
(as defined below); |
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“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any person, any capital stock
(including preferred stock), shares, interest, participations or other ownership
interest (however designated) of such person and any rights (other than debt
securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock), warrants or options to
purchase any thereof; |
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“Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service,” for any period, means
Earnings from Operations (as defined below) of us and our Subsidiaries plus amounts of
which have been deducted, and minus amounts which have been added, for the following
(without duplication): (i) interest on our and our Subsidiaries’ Debt, (ii) provision
for our and our Subsidiaries’ taxes based on income, (iii) amortization of debt
discount, (iv) provisions for gains and losses on properties and property depreciation
and amortization, (v) the effect of any noncash charge resulting from a change in
accounting principles in determining Earnings from Operations for such period and (vi)
amortization of deferred charges; |
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“Debt” of us or any Subsidiary means any indebtedness (without duplication)
of us or any Subsidiary, whether or not contingent, in respect of (i) money borrowed
or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (ii) indebtedness for
borrowed money secured by any Encumbrance existing on property owned by us or any
Subsidiary, (iii) the reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in
connection with any letters of credit actually issued or amounts representing the
balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services, except
any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, or all
conditional sale obligations or obligations under any title retention agreement, (iv)
the principal amount of all obligations of us or any Subsidiary with respect to
redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or (v) any lease
of property by us or any Subsidiary as lessee which is reflected on our consolidated
balance sheet as a capitalized lease in accordance with GAAP, to the extent, in the
case of items of indebtedness under (i) through (iii) above, that any such items
(other than letters of credit) would appear as a liability on our consolidated balance
sheet in accordance with GAAP, and also includes, to the extent not otherwise
included, any obligation by us or any Subsidiary to be liable for, or to pay, as
obligor, guarantor or otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary
course of business), Debt of another person (other than us or any Subsidiary) (it
being understood that Debt shall be deemed to be incurred by us or any Subsidiary
whenever we or such Subsidiary shall create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become
liable in respect thereof); |
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“Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any person, any Capital Stock of
person which by the terms of such Capital Stock (or by the terms of any security into
which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable or exercisable), upon the
happening of any event or otherwise (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant
to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (other than Capital Stock which is
redeemable solely in exchange for common stock), (ii) is convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for Debt or Disqualified Stock or (iii) is redeemable at
the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part (other than Capital Stock which
is redeemable solely in exchange for common stock), in each case on or prior to the
stated maturity of the notes; |
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“Earnings from Operations,” for any period, means net income excluding gains
and losses on sales of investments, extraordinary items, and property valuation
losses, as reflected in our and our Subsidiaries’ financial statements for such period
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; |
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“Encumbrance” means any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest
of any kind existing on property owned by us or any of our Subsidiaries; |
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“Subsidiary” means (i) a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited
liability company or other person the majority of the shares, if any, of the nonvoting
capital stock or other equivalent ownership interests of which (except directors’
qualifying shares) are at the time directly or indirectly owned by us and/or any other
Subsidiary or Subsidiaries, and the majority of the shares of the voting capital stock
or other equivalent ownership interests of which (except directors’ qualifying shares)
are at the time directly or indirectly owned by us, any other Subsidiary or
Subsidiaries, and (ii) any person the accounts of which are consolidated with our
accounts; |
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“Total Assets,” as of any date, means the sum of (i) the Undepreciated Real
Estate Assets and (ii) all of our and our Subsidiaries’ other assets determined in
accordance with GAAP (but excluding accounts receivable and intangibles); |
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“Total Unencumbered Assets” means the sum of (i) the Undepreciated Real
Estate Assets not subject to an Encumbrance for borrowed money and (ii) all of our and
our Subsidiaries’ other
assets not subject to an Encumbrance for borrowed money determined in accordance
with GAAP (but excluding accounts receivable and intangibles); |
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“Undepreciated Real Estate Assets,” as of any date, means the cost (original
cost plus capital improvements) of our and our Subsidiaries’ real estate assets on
such date, before depreciation and amortization determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP; and |
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“Unsecured Debt” means Debt which is not secured by any Encumbrance upon any
of our or our Subsidiaries’ properties. |
See “Description of Debt Securities — Certain Covenants” in the accompanying prospectus for a
description of additional covenants applicable to us.
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The provisions of the indenture relating to defeasance and covenant defeasance, which are
described under “Description of Debt Securities — Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance”
in the accompanying prospectus, will apply to the notes. Each of the covenants described under “—
Certain Covenants” in this prospectus supplement and “Description of Debt Securities — Certain
Covenants” in the accompanying prospectus will be subject to covenant defeasance.
Book-Entry System
DTC
The Depository Trust Company, or DTC or the depository, New York, New York, will act as
securities depository for the notes. The notes will be issued in the form of one or more fully
registered global securities which will be deposited with or on behalf of DTC and will be
registered in the name of DTC or its nominee. The global security may not be transferred except as
a whole by a nominee of the depository to the depository or to another nominee of the depository,
or by the depository or another nominee of the depository to a successor of the depository or a
nominee of a successor to the depository.
So long as the depository or its nominee is the registered holder of a global security, the
depository or its nominee, as the case may be, will be the sole owner of the notes represented
thereby for all purposes under the indenture. Except as otherwise provided below, the beneficial
owners of the global security or securities representing notes will not be entitled to receive
physical delivery of certificated notes and will not be considered the registered holders thereof
for any purpose under the indenture, and no global security representing notes shall be
exchangeable or transferable. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of the
depository and, if that beneficial owner is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant
through which that beneficial owner owns its interest in order to exercise any rights of a
registered holder under the indenture. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain
purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in certificated form. These limits
and laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security representing
notes.
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Each global security representing notes will be exchangeable for certificated notes of like
tenor and terms and of differing authorized denominations in a like aggregate principal amount,
only if:
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the depository notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as the
depository for the global securities or we become aware that the depository has ceased
to be a clearing agency registered as such under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and, in any such case we fail to appoint a successor to the depository within 60
calendar days; |
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we, in our sole discretion, determine that the global securities shall be
exchangeable for certificated notes; or |
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an event of default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the notes
under the indenture. |
Upon any such exchange, the certificated notes will be registered in the names of the
beneficial owners of the global security or securities representing notes, which names shall be
provided by the depository’s relevant participants to the trustee.
DTC, the world’s largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized
under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking
Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New
York Uniform Commercial Code,
and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The depository holds securities that its participants, referred
to as “direct participants,” deposit with the depository. The depository also facilitates the
post-trade settlement among direct participants of sales and other securities transactions, such as
transfers and pledges, in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry
transfers and pledges between direct participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical
movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities
brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other
organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or
DTCC. DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed
Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the
users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as
both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing
corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant,
either directly or indirectly, referred to as “indirect participants.” DTC has Standard & Poor’s
highest rating: AAA. The DTC Rules applicable to its participants are on file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Purchases of notes under the depository’s system must be made by or through direct
participants, which will receive a credit for the notes on the depository’s records. The ownership
interest of each actual purchaser of each note represented by a global security, referred to as a
“beneficial owner,” is in turn to be recorded on the records of direct participants and indirect
participants. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from the depository of their
purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of
the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct participants or
indirect participants through which such beneficial owner entered into the transaction. Transfers
of ownership interests in a global security representing notes are to be accomplished by entries
made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners of a
global security representing notes will not receive certificated notes representing their ownership
interests therein, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the notes is
discontinued.
All global securities representing notes which are deposited with, or on behalf of, the
depository are registered in the name of the depository’s nominee, Cede & Co. to facilitate
subsequent transfers. The deposit of global securities with, or on behalf of, the depository and
their registration in the name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial ownership. The
depository has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the global securities representing
the book-entry notes. The depository’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants
to whose accounts such notes are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The
participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their
customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by the depository to direct participants, by
direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants
to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or
regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
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Neither the depository, nor Cede & Co., nor any other DTC nominee, will consent or vote with
respect to the global securities representing the notes unless authorized by a direct participant
in accordance with DTC’s MMI Procedures. Under its usual procedures, the depository mails an
omnibus proxy to a company as soon as possible after the applicable record date. The omnibus proxy
assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the
notes are credited on the applicable record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus
proxy.
Principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payments on the global securities
representing the notes will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an
authorized representative of the depository. The depository’s practice is to credit direct
participants’ accounts upon the depository’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information
from the company or the trustee on the applicable payment date in accordance with their respective
holdings shown on the depository’s records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for
the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the
responsibility of such participant and not of the depository, the trustee or us, subject to any
statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal,
premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, to the depository is the responsibility of us and the
trustee, disbursement of such payments to direct participants shall be the responsibility of the
depository, and disbursement of such payments to the beneficial owners shall be the responsibility
of direct participants and indirect participants.
If applicable, redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the notes are
being redeemed, the depository’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each
direct participant in such issue to be redeemed.
A beneficial owner shall give notice of any option to elect to have its notes repaid by us,
through its participant, to the trustee, and shall effect delivery of such notes by causing the
direct participant to transfer the participant’s interest in the global security or securities
representing such book-entry notes, on the depository’s records, to the trustee. The requirement
for physical delivery of book-entry notes in connection with a demand for repayment will be deemed
satisfied when the ownership rights in the global security or securities representing such
book-entry notes are transferred by direct participants on the depository’s records and followed by
a book-entry credit of tendered notes to the trustee’s depository account.
The depository may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to
the notes at any time by giving reasonable notice to us or the trustee. Under such circumstances,
in the event that a successor securities depository is not obtained, certificated notes are
required to be printed and delivered.
We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through the depository
or a successor securities depository. In that event, certificated notes will be printed,
authenticated and delivered.
The information in this section concerning the depository and the depository’s book-entry
system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but neither we, the trustee,
nor any agent takes any responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
Clearstream
Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream”) is incorporated under the laws of
Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating
organizations (“Clearstream Participants”) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
certificates. Clearstream provides Clearstream Participants with, among other things, services for
safekeeping, administration, clearance and establishment of internationally traded securities and
securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several
countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg
Monetary Institute. Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the
world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations, and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to
Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that
clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant, either directly
or indirectly.
S-16
Distributions with respect to notes held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to
cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures to the extent
received by the depository for Clearstream.
Euroclear
Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (“Euroclear”) was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants
of Euroclear (“Euroclear Participants”) and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear
Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous
transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear includes various other services, including securities
lending and borrowing, and interfaces with domestic markets in several markets in several
countries. Euroclear operates its system under contract with Euroclear plc, a U.K. corporation. All
operations are conducted by Euroclear, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and
Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with Euroclear, not Euroclear plc. Euroclear plc establishes
policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include banks
(including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial
intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to
other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant,
either directly or indirectly.
Euroclear is a Belgian bank. As such, it is regulated by the Belgian Banking and Finance
Commission.
Links have been established among the depositary, Clearstream and Euroclear to facilitate the
initial issuance of the notes sold outside the United States and cross-market transfers of the
notes associated with secondary market trading.
Although the depositary, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the procedures provided
below in order to facilitate transfers, they are under no obligation to perform these procedures,
and these procedures may be modified or discontinued at any time.
Clearstream and Euroclear will record the ownership interests of their participants in much
the same way as the depositary, and the depositary will record the total ownership of each of the
U.S. agents of Clearstream and Euroclear, as participants in the depositary. When notes are to be
transferred from the account of a depositary participant to the account of a Clearstream
Participant or a Euroclear Participant, the purchaser must send instructions to Clearstream or
Euroclear through a participant at least one day prior to settlement. Clearstream or Euroclear, as
the case may be, will instruct its U.S. agent to receive notes against payment. After settlement,
Clearstream or Euroclear will credit its participant’s account. Credit for the notes will appear on
the next day (European time).
Because settlement is taking place during New York business hours, depositary participants
will be able to employ their usual procedures for sending notes to the relevant U.S. agent acting
for the benefit of Clearstream or Euroclear participants. The sale proceeds will be available to
the depositary seller on the settlement date. As a result, to the depositary participant, a
cross-market transaction will settle no differently than a trade between two depositary
participants.
When a Clearstream or Euroclear participant wishes to transfer notes to a depositary
participant, the seller will be required to send instructions to Clearstream or Euroclear through a
participant at least one business day prior to settlement. In these cases, Clearstream or Euroclear
will instruct its U.S. agent to transfer these notes against payment for them. The payment will
then be reflected in the account of the Clearstream or Euroclear participant the following day,
with the proceeds back valued to the value date, which would be the preceding day, when settlement
occurs in New York, if settlement is not completed on the intended value date, that is, the trade
fails, proceeds credited to the Clearstream or Euroclear participant’s account will instead be
valued as of the actual settlement date.
You should be aware that you will only be able to make and receive deliveries, payments and
other communications involving the notes through Clearstream and Euroclear on the days when those
clearing systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when
banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States. In addition,
because of time zone differences there may be problems with completing transactions involving
Clearstream and Euroclear on the same business day as in the United States.
S-17
The information in this section concerning the depositary, Clearstream and Euroclear and its
book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no
responsibility for the accuracy thereof. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility
for the performance by the depositary, Clearstream and Euroclear or their respective participants
or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing
their operations.
Same-Day Settlement and Payment
Settlement for the notes will be made by the underwriters in immediately available funds. We
will make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the notes in immediately available
funds.
No Personal Liability
None of our or the trustee’s past, present or future directors, officers or shareholders or
any successor thereof shall have any liability for any of our obligations, covenants or agreements
contained in the notes, the indenture or other of our debt obligations. The trustee shall not be
liable in connection with the notes, the indenture or any of the debt obligations, except to the
extent of any gross negligence as set forth in greater detail in the indenture. Each holder of
notes by accepting such notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are
part of the consideration for the issue of the notes.
The Trustee
The trustee makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or
completeness of any information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying
prospectus, except for such information that specifically pertains to the trustee itself, or any
information incorporated herein or therein by reference.
S-18
UNDERWRITING
Under the terms and subject to the conditions of the purchase agreement dated December ,
2009, by and among us, the guarantors listed on Annex A to this prospectus supplement and the
underwriters named below, for whom Banc of America Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as representatives, we have agreed to sell to each of the
underwriters, severally, and each of the underwriters has agreed severally to purchase, the
respective principal amount of the notes set forth opposite its name below:
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Principal |
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Underwriter |
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Amount |
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Banc of America Securities LLC |
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$ |
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J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. |
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Wells Fargo Securities, LLC |
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Total |
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$ |
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The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to
certain conditions precedent, and that the underwriters will purchase all notes offered hereby if
any of such notes are purchased.
The underwriters have advised us that they propose initially to offer the notes directly to
the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement
and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of % of the principal
amount of the notes. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in
excess of % of the principal amount of the notes to certain other dealers. After the initial
offering of the notes, the public offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be
changed.
The following table shows the underwriting discount to be paid to the underwriters by us in
connection with this offering:
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Paid by |
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Equity One |
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Per Note |
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% |
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Total |
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$ |
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The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market and will not be
listed on any securities exchange. We have been advised by the underwriters that the underwriters
intend to make a market in the notes but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market
making at any time without notice. We can not assure you as to the liquidity of the trading market
for the notes.
We and the guarantors to this prospectus supplement, jointly and severally, have agreed to
indemnify the underwriters against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect
thereof.
Expenses associated with this offering, payable by us, are estimated to be $400,000.
In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in transactions that
stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the notes. Specifically, the underwriters may
overallot in connection with the offering of the notes, creating a syndicate short position. In
addition, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, notes in the open market to cover syndicate
short positions or to stabilize the price of the notes. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may
reclaim selling concessions allowed for distributing the notes in the offering, if the syndicate
repurchases previously distributed notes in syndicate covering transactions, stabilizing
transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of
the notes above independent market
levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities, and may end
any of them at any time without notice.
S-19
None of us, the guarantors, the trustee or any of the underwriters makes any representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may
have on the price of the notes. In addition, none of us, the guarantors, the trustee or any of the
underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in such transactions or
that such transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Conflict of Interest
The underwriters and their affiliates have from time to time provided, and expect to provide
in the future, investment banking, commercial banking and other financial transactions with us and
our affiliates, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and
commissions. In particular, certain of the underwriters and/or their affiliates may be lenders
under our unsecured revolving credit facility due October 17, 2011, and may therefore receive more
then 5% of the net proceeds of this offering by reason of the repayment of such debt. See “Use of
Proceeds.”
We expect that delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about the
delivery date specified on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which will be the fifth
business day following the pricing of the notes. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three
business days (T + 3), unless the parties to that trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly,
purchasers who wish to trade the notes on the date of this prospectus supplement or the succeeding
two business days will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle on
or about December , 2009 (T + 5), to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any
such trade to prevent a failed settlement and should consult their own advisor.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the securities offered under this
prospectus supplement, as well as certain tax matters, will be passed upon for us by Greenberg
Traurig, P.A., Miami, Florida. DLA Piper LLP (US), Raleigh, North Carolina, will pass upon certain
legal matters relating to this offering for the underwriters. Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland,
will pass upon certain matters of Maryland law.
S-20
ANNEX A
LIST OF GUARANTORS
Cashmere Developments, Inc.
Centrefund Realty (U.S.) Corporation
Equity One (Commonwealth) Inc.
Equity One (Delta) Inc.
Equity One (Florida Portfolio) Inc.
Equity One (Louisiana Portfolio) LLC
Equity One (North Port) Inc.
Equity One (Northeast Portfolio) Inc.
Equity One (Point Royale) Inc.
Equity One (Sky Lake) Inc.
Equity One (Southeast Portfolio) Inc.
Equity One (Summerlin) Inc.
Equity One (Sunlake) Inc.
Equity One (Walden Woods) Inc.
Equity One Acquisition Corp.
Equity One Realty & Management FL, Inc.
Equity One Realty & Management NE, Inc.
Equity One Realty & Management SE, Inc.
Gazit (Meridian) Inc.
IRT Alabama, Inc.
IRT Capital Corporation II
IRT Management Company
IRT Partners L.P.
Louisiana Holding Corp.
Prosperity Shopping Center Corp.
Shoppes at Jonathan’s Landing, Inc.
Southeast U.S. Holdings Inc.
The Meadows Shopping Center, LLC
The Shoppes of Eastwood, LLC
S-21
PROSPECTUS
$750,000,000
Equity One, Inc.
Common Stock, Preferred
Stock,
Depositary Shares, Debt
Securities, Guarantees and Warrants
We are Equity One, Inc., a real estate investment trust formed
as a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland. This
prospectus relates to the public offer and sale of common stock,
preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, guarantees
and warrants which we and the subsidiary guarantors named below
or in a related prospectus supplement may offer from time to
time in one or more series. We may offer and sell the securities
separately, together or as units, in separate classes or series,
in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time
of sale and set forth in a supplement to this prospectus. You
should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus
supplement and other offering materials carefully before you
invest.
We may offer the securities from time to time through public or
private transactions, and in the case of our common stock, on or
off the New York Stock Exchange, at prevailing market prices or
at privately negotiated prices. Sales may be made directly to
purchasers or to or through agents, broker-dealers or
underwriters. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the
sale of any of these securities, the applicable prospectus
supplement will set forth the names of the agents or
underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions or discounts.
Our net proceeds from the sale of securities will also be set
forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol “EQY.”
Before buying any offered securities, you should carefully
consider the Risk Factors contained in our most recent annual
report on
Form 10-K,
as updated or supplemented by subsequent quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q
and current reports on
Form 8-K
to the extent filed, each of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
Prospectus dated April 6, 2009.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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20
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34
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35
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51
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52
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52
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52
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52
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2
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration
statement that we filed with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission, or the SEC. By using a shelf registration
statement, we may sell any combination of the securities
described in this prospectus from time to time in one or more
offerings. The exhibits to our registration statement contain
the full text of certain contracts and other important documents
we have summarized in this prospectus. Because these summaries
may not contain all the information that you may find important
in deciding whether to purchase the securities we offer, you
should review the full text of these documents. The registration
statement and exhibits can be obtained from the SEC as indicated
under the heading “Where You Can Find More
Information.”
This prospectus only provides you with a general description of
the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we
will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains
specific information about the terms of the securities offered.
The supplement may also add, update or change information
contained in this prospectus. Before purchasing any securities,
you should carefully read this prospectus, any supplement and
any free writing prospectus related to the applicable securities
that is prepared by us or on our behalf or that is otherwise
authorized by us, together with the additional information
described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain
Documents by Reference” found on page 52.
You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the supplement and
any free writing prospectus related to the applicable securities
that is prepared by us or on our behalf or that is otherwise
authorized by us. We have not authorized any other person to
provide you with different information. If anyone provides you
with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely
on it. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You
should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus,
as well as information we previously filed with the SEC and
incorporated herein by reference, is accurate as of the date on
the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business, financial
condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed
since that date.
We will not use this prospectus to offer and sell securities
unless it is accompanied by a supplement that more fully
describes the securities being offered and the terms of the
offering.
This prospectus also offers for resale 866,373 shares of
our common stock (the “Resale Shares”) issued to
Homburg Invest Inc. (the “Selling Stockholder”). The
Resale Shares were issued pursuant to a stock exchange agreement
with the Selling Stockholder, dated January 9, 2009 (the
“Exchange Agreement”), pursuant to which we issued to
the Selling Stockholder the Resale Shares in exchange for
1,237,676 ordinary shares of DIM Vastgoed N.V., a company
organized under Dutch law, referred to as DIM, or depositary
receipts in respect of such ordinary shares. The Exchange
Agreement also provides that, subject to the satisfaction of
certain conditions, we will exchange, not later than
January 1, 2011, an additional 536,601 shares of our
common stock for 766,573 ordinary DIM shares. The foregoing
issuance of our common stock was exempt from registration under
the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof. The
Resale Shares will be offered for resale pursuant to a
prospectus supplement that will set forth additional information
regarding the Selling Stockholder, the Plan of Distribution and
other matters with respect to such offering.
3
FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION
Certain matters discussed in this prospectus and information
incorporated by reference herein contain “forward-looking
statements” for purposes of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These
forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and
are not guarantees of future performance.
All statements other than statements of historical facts are
forward-looking statements and can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as “may,”
“will,” “might,” “would,”
“expect,” “anticipate,”
“estimate,” “could,” “should,”
“believe,” “intend,” “project,”
“forecast,” “target,” “plan,” or
“continue” or the negative of these words or other
variations or comparable terminology, are subject to certain
risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those projected. Because these
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual
results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by
the forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place
undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the
date of this prospectus.
Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially are:
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general economic conditions, and the effect of these conditions
on rental rates and the demand for retail space in the markets
where we own properties;
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risks that tenants will not take or remain in occupancy, pay
rent or be financially successful;
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interest rate levels and the availability of financing;
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the effects of hurricanes and other disasters;
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potential environmental liability and other risks associated
with the ownership, development and acquisition of shopping
center properties;
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greater than anticipated construction or operating costs;
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inflationary and other general economic trends;
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supply constraints in our geographic markets and the
availability of properties for acquisition;
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the success of our efforts to lease vacant space;
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management’s ability to successfully combine and integrate
the operations of properties or companies that we have or may
acquire in the future; and
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other risks detailed from time to time in the reports filed by
us with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Except for ongoing obligations to disclose material information
as required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no
obligation to release publicly any revisions to any
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.
4
OUR
COMPANY
This summary highlights selected information and does not
contain all the information that is important to you. You should
carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus
supplement and the documents to which we have referred to in
“Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” on
page 52 of this prospectus for information about us and our
financial statements.
We are a real estate investment trust, or REIT, that principally
owns, manages, acquires and develops neighborhood and community
shopping centers.
Our property portfolio, as of December 31, 2008, consisted
of 160 properties, comprising 146 shopping centers, four
development/redevelopment properties, six non-retail properties,
and four parcels of land. These properties are located in
10 states in the southern and northeastern United States
and contain an aggregate of approximately 16.0 million
square feet of gross leasable area, or GLA.
We currently have voting control over approximately 74.6% of the
outstanding ordinary shares of DIM, a company organized under
the laws of the Netherlands, the shares of which are listed on
the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam. DIM operates as a closed-end
investment company owning and operating, as of March 20,
2009, a portfolio of 21 shopping center properties located in
the southeastern United States and containing approximately
2.6 million square feet of GLA. We currently own
approximately 5.2 million ordinary shares of DIM and have
voting rights with respect to an additional 766,573 ordinary
shares. We have agreed to buy these additional shares for cash
or shares of our stock, subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions, on or before January 1, 2011.
In addition, we currently own a ten percent interest in
GRI-EQY I, LLC, which owns ten neighborhood shopping
centers totaling approximately 1.4 million square feet of
GLA as of December 31, 2008, and a 20 percent interest
in G&I VI Investment South Florida Portfolio, LLC, which
owns one office building and two neighborhood shopping centers
totaling approximately 503,000 square feet of GLA as of
December 31, 2008.
Since 1995, we have consistently elected to be treated as a REIT
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, during each
tax year. To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy various tests,
including tests related to the source and amount of our income,
the nature of our assets and our stock ownership. You should
carefully read the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal
Income Tax Considerations” in this prospectus and any
applicable supplement relating to this prospectus for additional
information regarding these tests.
Our principal executive offices are located at 1600 N.E. Miami
Gardens Drive, North Miami Beach, Florida 33179 in the Shops at
Skylake. Our telephone number is
(305) 947-1664
and our facsimile number is
(305) 947-1734.
5
RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our historical ratio of earnings
to fixed charges for the periods indicated:
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Year Ended December 31,
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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2004
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1.50
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1.72
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1.79
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1.55
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For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings were calculated using pretax income from
continuing operations before adjustment for minority interest
and equity in joint ventures, adding fixed charges and
distributed income from joint ventures and subtracting interest
capitalized. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and
capitalized, plus amortization of premiums, discounts and
capitalized expenses related to indebtedness. There are no
periods in which earnings were insufficient to cover combined
fixed charges. To date, we have not issued preferred stock or
incurred any preferred stock dividends.
6
USE OF
PROCEEDS
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, we
expect to use the net proceeds of the sale of these securities
for general corporate purposes, which may include:
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acquiring properties, securities or other assets as suitable
opportunities arise;
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developing, maintaining, expanding and improving properties in
our portfolio;
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repayment of indebtedness outstanding at that time;
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financing future acquisitions of properties or businesses that
we may from time to time consider; and
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general working capital.
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Any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of
securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time
of such offering and will be described in the related supplement
to this prospectus.
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Resale
Shares.
7
DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK
The following summarizes certain material terms and provisions
of our capital stock. It does not purport to be complete,
however, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
Maryland law and by the actual terms and provisions contained in
our charter and bylaws, each as amended and restated.
Overview
Our charter authorizes our board of directors to issue
100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per
share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.01 per share. Our board of directors, without any action by
our stockholders, may amend our charter to increase or decrease
the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares
of stock of any class or series that we are authorized under our
charter to issue, and may classify or reclassify any unissued
shares of capital stock, common, preferred or otherwise, to
provide for the issuance of capital stock in other classes or
series of securities, to establish the number of shares of
capital stock in each class or series and to fix the
preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other
distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions for each
class or series or term.
As of February 14, 2009, 77,558,656 shares of our
common stock were issued and outstanding and no shares of
preferred stock were outstanding. Subject to the New York Stock
Exchange rules which require stockholder approval for certain
issuances of securities, we may issue, generally without
stockholder approval, from time to time, in one or more series,
shares of capital stock of any class or series, or securities or
rights convertible into shares of capital stock of any class or
series, for such consideration as our board of directors may
deem advisable, subject to any applicable limitations or
restrictions under Maryland law or our charter or bylaws.
The following description sets forth certain general terms and
provisions of our common and preferred stock to which a
supplement to this prospectus may relate. The particular terms
of the shares of common or preferred stock being offered and the
extent to which the general provisions may apply will be
described in the applicable supplement to this prospectus. If so
indicated in the applicable supplement to this prospectus, the
terms of any series of shares of capital stock may differ from
the terms set forth below, except with respect to those terms
required by our charter and bylaws.
General
Description of our Common Stock
General. Subject to the provisions of our
charter regarding ownership of shares of capital stock in excess
of the aggregate ownership limits described below, unless
otherwise provided for in the applicable supplement to this
prospectus, our shares of common stock have equal dividend,
liquidation and other rights, have no preference or exchange
rights and generally have no appraisal rights. Our common
stockholders have no conversion, sinking fund or redemption
rights, or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our
securities.
Distributions. Subject to any preferential
rights of any outstanding shares of preferred stock and to the
provisions of our charter regarding ownership and transfer of
shares, our common stockholders are entitled to receive
distributions, when and as authorized by our board of directors,
out of legally available funds.
Voting Rights. Each outstanding share of
common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters
presented to stockholders for a vote, including the election of
directors. Except as provided in the terms of any other class or
series of stock, the holders of common stock possess the
exclusive voting power, subject to the provisions of our charter
regarding the ownership and transfer of shares of common stock,
or such other limit as provided in our charter or as otherwise
permitted by the board of directors.
Liquidation Rights. Subject to the right of
any holders of preferred stock to receive preferential
distributions, if we are liquidated, each outstanding share of
common stock will be entitled to participate pro rata in the
assets remaining after payment of, or adequate provision for,
all of our known debts and liabilities.
Registrar and Transfer Agent. The registrar
and transfer agent for our capital stock is American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company.
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General
Description of Preferred Stock
General. Under our charter, the board of
directors is authorized, subject to certain limitations
prescribed by Maryland law and the New York Stock Exchange
rules, without further stockholder approval, from time to time
to issue up to an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of
preferred stock. The preferred stock may be issued in one or
more series. Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding
ownership and transfer of shares of capital stock, each series
may have different rights, preferences and designations and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions that may be
established by our board of directors without approval from the
stockholders. Unless provided in a supplement to this
prospectus, the shares of preferred stock to be issued will have
no preemptive rights. Reference is made to any supplement to
this prospectus relating to the preferred stock offered thereby
for specific items, including:
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the number of shares of preferred stock to be issued and the
offering price of such preferred stock;
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the title and stated value of such preferred stock;
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dividend rights;
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dividend rates, periods, or payment dates, or methods of
calculation of dividends applicable to such preferred stock;
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the date from which distributions on such preferred stock shall
accumulate, if applicable;
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the right to convert the preferred stock into a different type
of security;
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voting rights attributable to the preferred stock;
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rights and preferences upon our liquidation or winding up of our
affairs;
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the terms of redemption;
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the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for such
preferred stock;
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the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for such preferred
stock;
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any listing of such preferred stock on any securities exchange;
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the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which such
preferred stock will be convertible into common stock, including
the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof);
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a discussion of federal income tax considerations applicable to
such preferred stock;
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the relative ranking and preferences of such preferred stock as
to distribution rights (including whether any liquidation
preference as to the preferred stock will be treated as a
liability for purposes of determining the availability of assets
for distributions to holders of stock ranking junior to the
shares of preferred stock as to distribution rights);
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any limitations on issuance of any series of preferred stock
ranking senior to or on a parity with such series of preferred
stock as to distribution rights and rights upon the liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and
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any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or
restrictions of such preferred stock.
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Rank. Unless otherwise indicated in the
applicable supplement to this prospectus, shares of our
preferred stock will rank, with respect to payment of
distributions and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, and allocation of our earnings and losses:
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senior to all classes or series of common stock, and to all
equity securities ranking junior to such preferred stock;
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on a parity with all equity securities issued by us, the terms
of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank
on a parity with the preferred stock; and
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junior to all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which
specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to
the preferred stock.
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Distributions. Subject to any preferential
rights of any outstanding stock or series of stock and to the
provisions of our charter regarding ownership and transfer of
shares of common stock, our preferred stockholders are entitled
to receive distributions, when and as authorized by our board of
directors and declared by us, out of legally available funds,
and share pro rata based on the number of preferred shares and
other parity equity securities outstanding.
Voting Rights. Unless otherwise indicated in
the applicable supplement to this prospectus, holders of our
preferred stock will not have any voting rights.
Liquidation Preference. Upon the voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our
affairs, then, before any distribution or payment shall be made
to the holders of any common stock or any other class or series
of stock ranking junior to the preferred stock in our
distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, the holders of each series of preferred stock are
entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of
our debts and other liabilities, out of our assets legally
available for distribution to stockholders, liquidating
distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference per
share (set forth in the applicable supplement to this
prospectus), plus an amount, if applicable, equal to all
distributions accrued and unpaid thereon (which shall not
include any accumulation in respect of unpaid distributions for
prior distribution periods if such preferred stock do not have a
cumulative distribution). After payment of the full amount of
the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the
holders of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of
our remaining assets. In the event that, upon our voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the legally
available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the
liquidating distributions on all of our outstanding preferred
stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all of our stock
of other classes or series of equity security ranking on a
parity with the preferred stock in the distribution of assets
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, then the holders of
our preferred stock and all other such classes or series of
equity security shall share ratably in any such distribution of
assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to
which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.
If the liquidating distributions are made in full to all holders
of preferred stock, our remaining assets shall be distributed
among the holders of any other classes or series of equity
security ranking junior to the preferred stock upon our
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, according to their
respective rights and preferences and in each case according to
their respective number of shares of stock.
Conversion Rights. The terms and conditions,
if any, upon which shares of any series of preferred stock are
convertible into other securities will be set forth in the
applicable supplement to this prospectus. Such terms will
include the amount and type of security into which the shares of
preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price (or manner
of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as to
whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the
preferred stock or us, the events requiring an adjustment of the
conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the
event of the redemption of such preferred stock.
Redemption. If so provided in the applicable
supplement to this prospectus, our preferred stock will be
subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our or the
holders’ option, in whole or in part, in each case upon the
terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in
such supplement to this prospectus.
Registrar and Transfer Agent. The registrar
and transfer agent for our preferred stock will be set forth in
the applicable supplement to this prospectus.
If our board of directors decides to issue any preferred stock,
it may discourage or make more difficult a merger, tender offer,
business combination or proxy contest, assumption of control by
a holder of a large block of our securities or the removal of
incumbent management, even if these events were favorable to the
interests of stockholders. The board of directors, without
stockholder approval, may issue preferred stock with voting and
conversion rights and dividend and liquidation preferences which
may adversely affect the holders of common stock.
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REIT
Ownership Limitations
For us to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, or the Code, no more than 50% in value of the
outstanding shares of our capital stock, common and preferred,
may be owned, actually and constructively, during the last half
of any taxable year by five or fewer “individuals,”
which, as defined in the Code for this purpose, includes certain
entities. In addition, if we, or an actual and constructive
owner of 10% or more of the shares of our capital stock, own,
actually or constructively, 10% or more of any of our tenants,
the rent we receive from that “related party tenant”
will not be qualifying income for purposes of determining
whether we meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT
under the Code unless the tenant is a taxable REIT subsidiary
and specified requirements are met. A REIT’s shares also
must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at
least 335 days of each taxable year of twelve months or
during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year.
As a means of addressing these requirements, our charter
provides that, subject to exceptions, no person may own, or be
deemed to own, directly and by virtue of the constructive
ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.9% in value of the
outstanding shares of our capital stock in the aggregate or more
than 9.9%, in value or number of shares, whichever is more
restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock.
Under our charter, the board of directors may increase the
ownership limits. In addition, our board of directors, in its
sole discretion, may exempt a person from the ownership limits
and may establish a new limit applicable to that person if that
person submits to the board of directors certain representations
and undertakings, including representations that demonstrate, to
the reasonable satisfaction of the board, that such ownership
would not jeopardize our status as a REIT under the Code.
Our charter further prohibits any person from transferring any
shares of our common or preferred stock if the transfer would
result in the shares of our capital stock being owned by fewer
than 100 persons or otherwise would cause us not to qualify
as a REIT. If any other transfer of shares of our capital stock
or any other event would otherwise result in any person
violating the REIT ownership limits or otherwise cause us to
fail to qualify as a REIT, our charter provides that the
prohibited transferee would not acquire any right or interest in
those shares. The shares transferred in violation of the
ownership limit instead would be transferred automatically to a
charitable trust, the beneficiary of which would be a qualified
charitable organization we select. If the transfer to the
charitable trust of the shares that were transferred in
violation of the ownership limit is not automatically effective
for any reason, the transfer that resulted in the violation of
the ownership limit or that otherwise would cause us to fail to
qualify as a REIT, would be void.
The charitable trustee will have the sole right to vote the
shares of stock that it holds, and any distributions paid on
shares held by the charitable trustee would be paid to the
beneficiary of the charitable trust. The trustee of the
charitable trust would be required to sell the shares of stock
transferred in violation of the ownership limit to a person or
entity who could own the shares of stock without violating the
ownership limit and to distribute to the prohibited transferee
an amount equal to the lesser of the price paid by such person
for the shares of stock transferred in violation of the
ownership limit and the sales proceeds received by the
charitable trust for the shares. In the case of a transfer for
no consideration, such as a gift, the charitable trustee would
be required to sell the shares of stock to a qualified person or
entity and distribute to the prohibited transferee an amount
equal to the lesser of the fair market value of the shares of
stock on the date of the event causing the shares to be held in
the trust and the sales proceeds received by the charitable
trust for the shares.
Under our charter, we, or our designee, would have the right to
purchase the shares from the charitable trust at a price per
share equal to the lesser of the price per share in the
transaction that resulted in the transfer of the shares to the
charitable trust, or, in the case of a devise or gift, the
market price at the time of such devise or gift, and the market
price of such shares on the date we, or our designee, were to
agree to purchase the shares. Any proceeds derived from the sale
of the shares in excess of the amount distributed to the
prohibited transferee under these provisions would be
distributed to the beneficiary of the charitable trust.
All persons or entities who own, directly, indirectly and by
virtue of the constructive ownership provisions of the Code, 5%
or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or
Treasury regulations) of the outstanding shares of our capital
stock must give a written notice to us by January 30 of each
year stating the name and address of such owner, the number of
shares of our capital stock beneficially
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owned and a description of the manner in which such shares of
capital stock are held. In addition, each such owner shall
provide us with such additional information as we may request in
order to determine the effect, if any, of such ownership on our
status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership
limits discussed above. Finally, each beneficial owner of shares
of our capital stock and each person (including the stockholder
of record) who is holding shares of our stock as a nominee for a
beneficial owner must provide us with such information as we may
request, in good faith, in order to determine our status as a
REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or
governmental authority or to determine such compliance.
The foregoing restrictions on ownership and transferability
would not apply if our board of directors were to determine that
it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or
to continue to qualify, as a REIT under the Code.
Anti-takeover
Effects of Maryland Law
Statutory Takeover Provisions. Maryland law
provides protection for Maryland corporations against
unsolicited takeovers. The Maryland General Corporation Law
provides that the duties of directors will not require them to:
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accept, recommend, or respond to any proposal by a person
seeking to acquire control;
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make a determination under the Maryland Business Combination
Statute or the Control Share Acquisition Statute, as described
below;
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authorize the corporation to redeem any rights under, modify or
render inapplicable, a stockholders’ rights plan;
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elect to be subject to any or all of the “elective
provisions” described below; or
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act or fail to act solely because of:
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the effect the act or failure to act may have on an acquisition
or potential acquisition of control; or
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the amount or type of consideration that may be offered or paid
to stockholders in an acquisition.
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Under Maryland law, there is a presumption that the act of a
director satisfies the required standard of conduct. In the case
of a Maryland corporation, a director must perform his or her
duties in good faith, in a manner the director believes is in
the best interests of the corporation and with the care that an
ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under
similar circumstances. In addition, an act of a director
relating to or affecting an acquisition or a potential
acquisition of control is not subject under Maryland law to a
higher duty or greater scrutiny than is applied to any other act
of a director.
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation
Law allows publicly held Maryland corporations to elect to be
governed by all or any part of provisions of Subtitle 8 relating
to extraordinary actions and unsolicited takeovers. The election
to be governed by one or more of these provisions can be made by
a Maryland corporation in its charter or bylaws or by resolution
adopted by the board of directors, without a vote of
stockholders, so long as the corporation has at least three
directors who, at the time of electing to be subject to the
provisions, are not:
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persons seeking to acquire control of the corporation;
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officers or employees of the corporation;
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directors, officers, affiliates or associates of any person
seeking to acquire control; or
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nominated or designated as directors by a person seeking to
acquire control.
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Articles supplementary must be filed with the State Department
of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland if a Maryland
corporation elects to be subject to any or all of these
provisions by board resolution or bylaw amendment. Stockholder
approval is not required for the filing of articles
supplementary.
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Subtitle 8 provides that a corporation can elect to be subject
to all or any portion of the following provisions
notwithstanding any contrary provisions contained in the
corporation’s existing charter or bylaws:
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Classified Board: The corporation may divide
its board into three classes which, to the extent possible, will
have the same number of directors, the terms of which will
expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders after the
election of each such class;
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Two-Thirds Stockholder Vote to Remove
Directors: The stockholders may remove any
director, as applicable, only by the affirmative vote of at
least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast by the
stockholders generally in the election of directors;
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Size of Board Fixed by Vote of Board: The
number of directors, as applicable, will be fixed only by
resolution of the board;
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Board Vacancies Filled by the Board for the Remaining
Term: Vacancies that result from an increase in
the size of the board, or the death, resignation, or removal of
a trustee or director, may be filled only by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the remaining directors even if they do
not constitute a quorum. Directors elected to fill vacancies
will hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class
of trustees or directors in which the vacancy occurred, as
opposed to until the next annual meeting of stockholders, and
until a successor is elected and qualified; and
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Stockholder Calls of Special Meetings: Special
meetings of stockholders shall be called by the secretary of the
corporation only upon the written request of stockholders
entitled to cast at least a majority of all votes entitled to be
cast at the meeting.
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Although we have not specifically elected to be governed by
Subtitle 8, our charter and bylaws, as applicable, contain
provisions that are similar to several of those listed above.
See “Provisions of our Charter and Bylaws that May Prevent
Takeovers” below. Moreover, our board of directors may
elect to be governed by Subtitle 8 in the future.
Business Combinations with Interested
Stockholders. The Maryland Business Combination
Act provides that, unless exempted, a Maryland corporation may
not engage in business combinations, including mergers, certain
dispositions of its assets, issuances of shares and other
specified transactions, with an “interested
stockholder” or its affiliates, for five years after the
most recent date on which the interested stockholder became an
interested stockholder. Thereafter, unless the stockholders
receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, a
business combination with an interested stockholder or its
affiliates must be recommended by the board of directors and
approved by (i) at least 80% of the outstanding voting
shares entitled to be cast and (ii) at least two-thirds of
the outstanding voting shares entitled to be cast, other than
voting shares held by the interested stockholder or any of its
affiliates. Under the statute, an “interested
stockholder” generally is defined to mean a person or group
which owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of
the voting power of the corporation’s shares or an
affiliate or an associate of the corporation who, at any time
within the two year period prior to the date in question, was
the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the
then outstanding voting stock of the corporation. A person is
not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of
directors approved in advance the transaction by which that
person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder.
These requirements do not apply to a business combination with
an interested stockholder or its affiliates if the business
combination is exempted by the board of directors before the
time the interested stockholder first became an interested
stockholder.
By resolution of our board of directors, we have exempted
business combinations between us and any of our officers or
directors or any affiliate of our officers or directors.
Consequently, the five-year prohibition and the super-majority
vote requirements of the Maryland Business Combination Act will
not apply to those business combinations. As a result, these
persons may be able to enter into business combinations with us
that may not be in the best interest of our stockholders,
without compliance with the super majority vote requirements and
the other provisions of the Statute.
The business combination statute may discourage others from
trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of
consummating any offer with respect to business combinations.
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Control Share Acquisitions. The Maryland
Control Share Acquisition Act provides that shares of a Maryland
corporation that are acquired in a “control share
acquisition,” which is defined as the acquisition, directly
or indirectly, of shares comprising one-tenth or more, but less
than one-third, one-third or more, but less than a majority or a
majority or more of all shares with voting power in elections of
directors, have no voting rights except:
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if approved by stockholders by the affirmative vote of
two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter,
excluding shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by
directors who are employees of the corporation; or
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if the acquisition of the shares has been approved or exempted
at any time before the acquisition of the shares.
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Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is
then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained
stockholder approval.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share
acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation
to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within
50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the
shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is
subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an
undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request
for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the
question at any stockholder meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the
acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement
as required by the statute, then the corporation may redeem for
fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for
which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of
the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain
conditions and limitations. Fair value is determined, without
regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares,
as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the
acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting
rights of the shares are considered and not approved. If voting
rights for control shares are approved at a stockholder meeting
and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the
shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise
appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for
purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest
price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share
acquisition.
The control share acquisition statute does not apply to shares
acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the
corporation is a party to the transaction. The Maryland Control
Share Acquisition Act is generally applicable to a Maryland
corporation unless its charter or bylaws specifically provides
that it shall be inapplicable. Our bylaws contain a provision
exempting us from the control share acquisition act. There can
be no assurance that this provision will not be amended or
eliminated at any time in the future, thereby making our company
subject to the act.
Mergers, Consolidations, and Sale of
Assets. Under Maryland law, a proposed
consolidation, merger, share exchange or transfer of assets must
be approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the
votes entitled to vote on the matter, unless a greater or lesser
proportion of votes (but not less than a majority of all votes
entitled to be cast) is specified in the charter. Our charter
reduces the vote requirement to a majority of the votes entitled
to be cast.
However, approval of a merger by stockholders is not required if
there is no stock outstanding or subscribed for and entitled to
be voted on the merger or if:
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we are the surviving entity in the merger;
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the merger does not reclassify or change the terms of any class
or series of stock that is outstanding immediately before the
merger becomes effective or otherwise require an amendment to
the corporation’s charter; and
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the number of shares of stock of such class or series
outstanding immediately after the effective time of the merger
does not increase by more than 20% of the number of shares of
the class or series of stock that is outstanding immediately
before the merger becomes effective.
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Under these circumstances, a majority vote of the entire board
of directors is sufficient for approval.
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Amendment
to the Charter
Our charter may be amended by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on
the matter; provided, however that its provisions on the removal
of directors and certain related provisions may be amended only
by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two
thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Provisions
of our Charter and Bylaws That May Prevent Takeovers
Our charter and our bylaws contain provisions that may delay,
defer or prevent a change in control of us and make removal of
our management more difficult.
Number of Directors; Removal of Directors;
Vacancies. Our charter and bylaws provide that
the board of directors may increase or decrease the number of
directors provided that the number thereof shall never be less
than the minimum number required by Maryland law nor more than
15.
Pursuant to our charter, subject to the rights of one or more
classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or
more directors, any and all directors may be removed from office
at any time, but only for cause, and by an affirmative vote of
at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally
in the election of directors. Our charter defines
“cause” to mean, with respect to any particular
director, the conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a
court of competent jurisdiction holding that the director caused
demonstrable, material harm to us through bad faith or active
and deliberate dishonesty.
Under our bylaws, any vacancy on the board of directors for any
cause other than an increase in the number of directors shall be
filled by a majority of the remaining directors, even if such
majority is less than a quorum. Any vacancy on the board of
directors created by an increase in the number of directors may
be filled by a majority vote of the entire board of directors.
Any individual so elected as a director shall hold office until
the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor
is elected and qualifies.
Stockholder Requested Special Meetings. Our
bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be
called by the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, the
president or the chief executive officer. Special meetings of
the stockholders may also be called by the secretary of the
corporation upon the written request of the holders of shares
entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes
entitled to be cast at the meeting.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent. As
permitted by Maryland law, our stockholders may act by unanimous
written consent.
Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and
Stockholder New Business Proposals. Our bylaws
provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders,
nominations of individuals for election to the Board of
Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by
stockholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of
the meeting, (ii) by the Board of Directors or
(iii) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the
meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures
of the bylaws. With respect to special meetings of stockholders,
only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be
brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for
election to the Board of Directors at a special meeting may be
made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting,
(ii) by the Board of Directors, or (iii) provided that
the Board of Directors has determined that directors will be
elected at the meeting, by a stockholder who is entitled to vote
at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice
provisions of the Bylaws.
The foregoing provisions, together with the power of our board
of directors to increase the number of shares we are authorized
to issue, the power of the board of directors to issue preferred
stock without further stockholder action and the restrictions on
ownership and transferability of shares of our stock, may delay
or frustrate the removal of incumbent directors or the
completion of transactions that would be beneficial, in the
short term, to our stockholders. The provisions may also
discourage or make more difficult a merger, tender offer, other
business combination or proxy contest, the assumption of control
by a holder of a large block of our securities or the removal of
incumbent management, even if these events would be favorable to
the interests of our stockholders.
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DESCRIPTION
OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
We may issue depositary shares, each of which will represent a
fractional interest of a share of a particular class or series
of our preferred stock, as specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement which will more fully describe the terms
of those depositary shares. Shares of a class or series of
preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be
deposited under a separate deposit agreement among us, the
depositary named therein and the holders from time to time of
the depositary receipts issued by the preferred stock depositary
which will evidence the depositary shares. Subject to the terms
of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt
will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest of a
share of a particular class or series of preferred stock
represented by the depositary shares evidenced by that
depositary receipt, to all the rights and preferences of the
class or series of preferred stock represented by those
depositary shares (including dividend, voting, conversion,
redemption and liquidation rights).
The depositary shares to be issued will be evidenced by
depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit
agreement. Immediately following the issuance and delivery of a
class or series of preferred stock by us to the preferred stock
depositary, we will cause the preferred stock depositary to
issue, on our behalf, the depositary receipts. The following
description of the depositary shares, and any description of the
depositary shares in a prospectus supplement, may not be
complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the underlying deposit agreement and the
depositary receipt, which we will file with the SEC at or prior
to the time of the sale of the depositary shares. You should
refer to, and read this summary together with, the deposit
agreement and related depositary receipt. You can obtain copies
of any form of deposit agreement or other agreement pursuant to
which the depositary shares are issued by following the
directions described under the caption “Where You Can Find
More Information.”
Dividends
and Other Distributions
The preferred stock depositary will distribute all cash
dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of a
class or series of preferred stock to the record holders of
depositary receipts evidencing the related depositary shares in
proportion to the number of those depositary receipts owned by
those holders, subject to certain obligations of holders to file
proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain
charges and expenses to the preferred stock depositary.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the preferred
stock depositary will distribute property received by it to the
record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, subject
to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates
and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to
the preferred stock depositary, unless the preferred stock
depositary determines that it is not feasible to make that
distribution, in which case the preferred stock depositary may,
with our approval, sell that property and distribute the net
proceeds from that sale to those holders.
Withdrawal
of Preferred Stock
Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust
office of the preferred stock depositary (unless the related
depositary shares have previously been called for redemption or
converted into excess preferred stock or otherwise), the holders
thereof will be entitled to delivery at that office, to or upon
that holder’s order, of the number of whole or fractional
shares of the class or series of preferred stock and any money
or other property represented by the depositary shares evidenced
by those depositary receipts. Holders of depositary receipts
will be entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of the
related class or series of preferred stock on the basis of the
proportion of preferred stock represented by each depositary
share as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, but
holders of those shares of preferred stock will not thereafter
be entitled to receive depositary shares therefor. If the
depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of
depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares
representing the number of shares of preferred stock to be
withdrawn, the preferred stock depositary will deliver to that
holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the
excess number of depositary shares.
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Redemption
of Depositary Shares
Whenever we redeem shares of a class or series of preferred
stock held by the preferred stock depositary, the preferred
stock depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the
number of depositary shares representing shares of the class or
series of preferred stock so redeemed, provided we shall have
paid in full to the preferred stock depositary the redemption
price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal
to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed
for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will
be equal to the corresponding proportion of the redemption price
and any other amounts per share payable with respect to that
class or series of preferred stock. If fewer than all the
depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to
be redeemed will be selected pro rata (as nearly as may be
practicable without creating fractional depositary shares) or by
any other equitable method determined by us that will not result
in the issuance of any excess preferred stock.
From and after the date fixed for redemption, all dividends in
respect of the shares of a class or series of preferred stock so
called for redemption will cease to accrue, the depositary
shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be
outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary
receipts evidencing the depositary shares so called for
redemption will cease, except the right to receive any moneys
payable upon their redemption and any money or other property to
which the holders of those depositary receipts were entitled
upon their redemption and surrender thereof to the preferred
stock depositary.
Voting
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of a
class or series of preferred stock deposited with the preferred
stock depositary are entitled to vote, the preferred stock
depositary will mail the information contained in that notice of
meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts
evidencing the depositary shares which represent that class or
series of preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary
receipts evidencing depositary shares on the record date (which
will be the same date as the record date for that class or
series of preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the
preferred stock depositary as to the exercise of the voting
rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock represented
by that holder’s depositary shares. The preferred stock
depositary will vote the amount of that class or series of
preferred stock represented by those depositary shares in
accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take
all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the
preferred stock depositary in order to enable the preferred
stock depositary to do so. The preferred stock depositary will
abstain from voting the amount of that class or series of
preferred stock represented by those depositary shares to the
extent it does not receive specific instructions from the
holders of depositary receipts evidencing those depositary
shares. The preferred stock depositary shall not be responsible
for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote, or for the
manner or effect of any vote made, as long as that action or
non-action is in good faith and does not result from negligence
or willful misconduct of the preferred stock depositary.
Liquidation
Preference
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up,
whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary
receipt will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation
preference accorded each share of preferred stock represented by
the depositary shares evidenced by that depositary receipt, as
set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Conversion
The depositary shares will not be convertible directly into our
common stock or any other of our securities or property, except
in connection with exchanges to preserve our status as a REIT.
Holders of depositary receipts evidencing convertible preferred
stock may surrender the depositary receipts to the depositary
with instructions directing us to convert the class or series of
preferred stock represented by the related depositary shares
into whole shares of common stock, other shares of a class or
series of preferred stock or other securities if specified in
the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of the
depositary shares. When we receive these instructions, and the
payment of any applicable fees, we will convert or
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exchange the preferred stock using the same procedures as we use
for the delivery of preferred stock. If a holder is converting
only part of the depositary shares represented by a depositary
receipt, new depositary receipts will be issued for any
depositary shares that are not converted. We will not issue any
fractional shares of our common stock upon conversion, and if a
conversion would result in a fractional share being issued, we
will pay in cash an amount equal to the value of the fractional
interest based upon the closing price of our common stock on the
last business day prior to the conversion.
Amendment
and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares
which represent the preferred stock and any provision of the
deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement
between us and the preferred stock depositary. However, any
amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the
holders of depositary receipts or that would be materially and
adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of
the related class or series of preferred stock will not be
effective unless that amendment has been approved by the
existing holders of at least two thirds of the depositary shares
evidenced by the depositary receipts then outstanding. No
amendment shall impair the right, subject to certain exceptions
in the deposit agreement, of any holder of depositary receipts
to surrender any depositary receipt with instructions to deliver
to the holder the related class or series of preferred stock and
all money and other property, if any, represented thereby,
except in order to comply with law. Every holder of an
outstanding depositary receipt at the time any of those types of
amendments becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to
hold that depositary receipt, to consent and agree to that
amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended
thereby.
We may terminate the deposit agreement upon not less than
30 days’ prior written notice to the preferred stock
depositary if:
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such termination is necessary to preserve our status as a
REIT, or
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a majority of each class or series of preferred stock subject to
that deposit agreement consents to that termination, whereupon
the preferred stock depositary shall deliver or make available
to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the
depositary receipts held by that holder, that number of whole or
fractional shares of each class or series of preferred stock as
are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by those
depositary receipts together with any other property held by the
preferred stock depositary with respect to those depositary
receipts.
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If the deposit agreement is terminated to preserve our status as
a REIT, then we will use our best efforts to list each class or
series of preferred stock issued upon surrender of the related
depositary shares on a national securities exchange. In
addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:
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all outstanding depositary shares issued thereunder shall have
been redeemed,
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there shall have been a final distribution in respect of each
class or series of preferred stock subject to that deposit
agreement in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or
winding up and that distribution shall have been distributed to
the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary
shares representing that class or series of preferred
stock, or
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each share of preferred stock subject to that deposit agreement
shall have been converted into our stock not so represented by
depositary shares.
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Charges
of Preferred Stock Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental
charges arising solely from the existence of the deposit
agreement. In addition, we will pay the fees and expenses of the
preferred stock depositary in connection with the performance of
its duties under the deposit agreement. However, holders of
depositary receipts will pay the fees and expenses of the
preferred stock depositary for any duties requested by those
holders to be performed which are outside of those expressly
provided for in the deposit agreement.
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Resignation
and Removal of Preferred Stock Depositary
The preferred stock depositary may resign at any time by
delivering notice to us of its election to do so, and we may at
any time remove the preferred stock depositary, that resignation
or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor
preferred stock depositary. A successor preferred stock
depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery
of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or
trust company having its principal office in the United States
and having a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000.
Miscellaneous
The preferred stock depositary will forward to holders of
depositary receipts any reports and communications from us which
are received by it with respect to the related preferred stock.
Neither we nor the preferred stock depositary will be liable if
it is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances
beyond its control, performing its obligations under the deposit
agreement. Our obligations and those of the preferred stock
depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to
performing our respective duties thereunder in good faith and
without negligence (in the case of any action or inaction in the
voting of a class or series of preferred stock represented by
the depositary shares), gross negligence or willful misconduct,
and neither we nor the preferred stock depositary will be
obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect
of any depositary receipts, depositary shares or shares of a
class or series of preferred stock represented thereby unless
satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the preferred stock
depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants,
or information provided by persons presenting shares of a class
or series of preferred stock represented thereby for deposit,
holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good
faith to be competent to give that information, and on documents
believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper
party.
In the event the preferred stock depositary shall receive
conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of
depositary receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand,
the preferred stock depositary shall be entitled to act on those
claims, requests or instructions received from us.
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DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
General
We may issue debt securities under an indenture dated as of
September 9, 1998 between us and U.S. Bank National
Association, as successor to SunTrust Bank, as the indenture
trustee. The indenture is subject to, and governed by, the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and we may
supplement the indenture from time to time.
This prospectus summarizes what we believe to be the material
provisions of the indenture and the debt securities that we may
issue under the indenture. This summary is not complete and may
not describe all of the provisions of the indenture or of any of
the debt securities that might be important to you. For
additional information, you should carefully read the form of
indenture that is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we
will describe the specific terms of those debt securities in a
supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the
supplement whether the general terms in this prospectus apply to
a particular series of debt securities. Accordingly, for a
description of the terms of a particular issue of debt
securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and
the applicable supplement.
In the summary below, we have included references to the section
numbers of the indenture so that you can easily locate the
related provisions in the indenture for additional detail. You
should also refer to the indenture for the definitions of any
capitalized terms that we use below but do not describe in this
prospectus. When we refer to particular sections of the
indenture or to defined terms in the indenture, we intend to
incorporate by reference those sections and defined terms into
this prospectus.
Terms
The debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations.
The indebtedness represented by the debt securities will rank
equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt.
We may, as described in a prospectus supplement, issue debt that
is secured by our assets.
The amount of debt securities that we may issue under the
indenture is not limited and the amount that we offer at any
particular time will be set forth in a supplement to this
prospectus. We may issue the debt securities, from time to time
and in one or more series, as our board of directors may
establish by resolution, or as we may establish in one or more
supplemental indentures. We may issue debt securities with terms
different from those of debt securities that we have previously
issued (Section 301).
The indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee
under the indenture, each with respect to one or more series of
debt securities. Any trustee under the indenture may resign or
be removed with respect to one or more series of debt
securities, and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with
respect to that series (Section 608). If two or more
persons act as trustee with respect to different series of debt
securities, each trustee shall be a trustee of a trust under the
indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any
other trustee (Sections 101 and 609). Except as otherwise
indicated in this prospectus, each trustee may take any action
described in this prospectus only with respect to the one or
more series of debt securities for which it is trustee under the
indenture.
You should refer to the applicable supplement to this prospectus
relating to a particular series of debt securities for the
specific terms of the debt securities, including, but not
limited to:
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the title of the debt securities, whether the debt securities
will be guaranteed and the identity of the guarantor or
guarantors, if any;
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the total principal amount of the debt securities and any limit
on the total principal amount;
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the price, expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of
the debt securities, at which we will issue the debt securities
and any portion of the principal amount payable upon
acceleration of the debt securities;
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the terms, if any, by which holders of the debt securities may
convert or exchange the debt securities for our common stock,
our preferred stock, or any of our other securities or property;
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if the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable, any
limitations on the ownership or transferability of the
securities or property into which holders may convert or
exchange the debt securities;
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the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or
dates, on which we will be obligated to pay the principal of the
debt securities and the amount of principal we will be obligated
to pay;
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the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the
debt securities of the series will bear interest, if any, or the
method by which the rate or rates will be determined;
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the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or
dates, from which any interest will accrue on the debt
securities, the dates on which we will be obligated to pay any
interest, the regular record dates, if any, for the interest
payments, or the method by which the dates will be determined,
the persons to whom we will be obligated to pay interest, and
the basis upon which interest will be calculated, if other than
that of a
360-day year
consisting of twelve
30-day
months;
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the place or places where the principal of, and any premium,
Make-Whole Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, the debt
securities will be payable, where the holders of the debt
securities may surrender their debt securities for conversion,
transfer or exchange, and where the holders may serve notices or
demands to us in respect of the debt securities and the
indenture (Section 101);
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whether the debt securities will be in registered or bearer
form, and the terms and conditions relating to the form, and, if
in registered form, the denominations in which we will issue the
debt securities if other than $1,000 or a multiple of $1,000
and, if in bearer form, the denominations in which we will issue
the debt securities if other than $5,000;
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if other than the trustee, the identity of each security
registrar
and/or
paying agent for debt securities of the series;
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the period or periods during which, the price or prices,
including any premium or Make-Whole Amount, at which, the
currency or currencies in which, and the other terms and
conditions upon which, we may redeem the debt securities, at our
option, if we have an option;
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any obligation that we have to redeem, repay or purchase debt
securities under any sinking fund or similar provision or at the
option of a holder of debt securities, and the terms and
conditions upon which we will redeem, repay or purchase all or a
portion of the debt securities under that obligation;
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the currency or currencies in which we will sell the debt
securities and in which the debt securities will be denominated
and payable;
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whether the amount of payment of principal of, and any premium,
Make-Whole Amount or interest on, the debt securities of the
series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or
other method and the manner in which the amounts will be
determined;
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whether the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount,
Additional Amounts or interest on, the debt securities of the
series are to be payable, at our election or at the election of
a holder of the debt securities, in a currency or currencies
other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or
stated to be payable, the period or periods during which, and
the
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terms and conditions upon which, this election may be made, and
the time and manner of, and identity of the exchange rate agent
responsible for, determining the exchange rate between the
currency or currencies in which the debt securities are
denominated or stated to be payable and the currency or
currencies in which the debt securities will be payable;
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any provisions granting special rights to the holders of the
debt securities of the series at the occurrence of named events;
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any additions to, modifications of or deletions from the terms
of the debt securities with respect to the events of default or
covenants contained in the indenture;
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whether the debt securities of the series will be issued in
certificated or book-entry form and the related terms and
conditions, including whether any debt securities will be issued
in temporary
and/or
permanent global form, and if so, whether the owners of
interests in any permanent global debt security may exchange
those interests for debt securities of that series and of like
tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the
circumstances under which any exchanges may occur, if other than
in the manner provided in the indenture (Section 305), and,
if debt securities of or within the series are to be issuable as
a global debt security, the identity of the depositary for such
series;
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the date as of which any Bearer Securities,
and/or
temporary global debt security representing outstanding
securities of or within the series will be dated if other than
the date of original issuance of the first debt security of the
series to be issued (Section 101);
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if the debt securities will be issued in definitive form only
upon our receipt, or the trustee’s receipt, of certificates
or other documents, or upon the satisfaction of conditions, a
description of those certificates, documents or conditions;
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if the debt securities will be issued upon the exercise of debt
warrants, the time, manner and place for the debt securities to
be authenticated and delivered;
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the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant
defeasance provisions of the indenture, as described below under
“— Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance”;
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any applicable United States federal income tax consequences,
including whether and under what circumstances we will pay any
Additional Amounts, as contemplated in the indenture on the debt
securities, to any holder who is not a United States person in
respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld
or deducted and, if we will pay Additional Amounts, whether, and
on what terms, we will have the option to redeem the debt
securities in lieu of paying the Additional Amounts;
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any other covenant or warranty included for the benefit of the
debt securities of the series;
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any proposed listing of the debt securities on any securities
exchange or market; and
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any other terms of the debt securities or of any guarantees
issued in connection with the debt securities not inconsistent
with the provisions of the indenture (Section 301).
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The debt securities may provide for less than their entire
principal amount to be payable if we accelerate their maturity
as a result of the occurrence and continuation of an event of
default (Section 502). If this is the case, the debt
securities would have what is referred to as “original
interest discount.” Any special United States federal
income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to
original issue discount securities will be described in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
We may issue debt securities from time to time, with the
principal amount payable on any principal payment date, or the
amount of interest payable on any interest payment date, to be
determined by reference to one or more currencies or currency
exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other
factors. Holders of debt securities with these features may
receive a principal amount on any principal payment date, or a
payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is
greater than or less than the amount of principal
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or interest otherwise payable on the applicable dates, depending
upon the value on those dates of the applicable currencies or
currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or
other factors.
Information as to the methods for determining the amount of
principal or interest payable on any date, the currencies or
currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or
other factors to which the amount payable on that date is linked
and additional tax considerations will be included in the
applicable prospectus supplement. All debt securities of any one
series will be substantially identical, except as to
denomination, in the case of debt securities issued in global
form, and except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of
our board of directors or in any supplement to the indenture. We
are not required to issue all of the debt securities of a series
at the same time, and, unless otherwise provided in the
indenture or applicable supplement, we may re-open a series
without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of
that series to issue additional debt securities of that series.
The indenture does not contain any provisions that limit our
ability to incur indebtedness or that would protect holders of
debt securities in the event we become a party to a
highly-leveraged or similar transaction in which we would incur
or acquire a large amount of additional debt. However, there are
restrictions on ownership and transfers of our common stock and
preferred stock that are designed to preserve our status as a
REIT, as well as other provisions of our charter and bylaws,
which may prevent or hinder a change of control. You should
refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for information
regarding any deletions from, modifications of, or additions to
the events of default or covenants that are described below,
including any addition of a covenant or other provision
providing event risk or similar protection.
Guarantees
Debt securities may be issued and unconditionally and
irrevocably guaranteed on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis
by certain of our subsidiaries that are listed as guarantors in
the applicable supplement to this prospectus. Any guarantee
would cover the timely payment of the principal of, and any
premium, interest or sinking fund payments on, the debt
securities, whether we make the payment at a maturity date, as a
result of acceleration or redemption, or otherwise. We will more
fully describe the existence and terms of any guarantee of any
of our debt securities by our subsidiaries in the prospectus
supplement relating to those debt securities.
Denominations,
Interest, Registration and Transfer
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise,
any debt securities of any series that we issue in registered
form will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and multiples of
$1,000, and debt securities of any series that we issue in
bearer form will be issued in denominations of $5,000
(Section 302).
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise,
the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, or
interest on, any series of debt securities will be payable in
the currency designated in the prospectus supplement at the
corporate trust office of the trustee, initially, U.S. Bank
National Association, Corporate Trust Services, Two Midtown
Plaza, 1349 W. Peachtree St. NW., Suite 1050, Atlanta, Georgia
30309. At our option, however, payment of interest may be made
by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the
interest payment as it appears in the security register for the
series or by wire transfer of funds to that person at an account
maintained within the United States (Sections 301, 305, 307
and 1002). We may at any time designate additional paying agents
or rescind designation of any paying agents or approve a change
in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that
we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of
payment for any series. All monies that we pay to a paying agent
for the payment of any principal of, or any premium, Make-Whole
Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, any debt security
which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after that
payment became due and payable will be repaid to us. After that
time, the holder of the debt security will be able to look only
to us for payment (Section 1003).
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Any interest that we do not punctually pay on any interest
payment date with respect to a debt security will cease to be
payable to the holder on the applicable regular record date and
may either:
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be paid to the holder at the close of business on a Special
Record Date for the payment of defaulted interest, to be
determined by the trustee, (Sections 101 and 307); or
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be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, as more fully
described in the indenture.
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Subject to certain limitations imposed upon debt securities
issued in book-entry form, debt securities of any series will be
exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series and of
the same total principal amount and authorized denomination upon
the surrender of the debt securities at the corporate trust
office of the trustee. In addition, subject to certain
limitations imposed upon debt securities issued in book-entry
form, the debt securities of any series may be surrendered for
conversion, transfer or exchange at the corporate trust office
of the trustee. Every debt security surrendered for conversion,
transfer or exchange must be duly endorsed or accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer. There will be no service charge
for any transfer or exchange of any debt securities, but we may
require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charge
payable in connection with the transfer or exchange
(Section 305).
If the applicable prospectus supplement refers to us designating
any transfer agent for any series of debt securities, in
addition to the trustee, we may at any time remove the transfer
agent or approve a change in the location at which the transfer
agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a
transfer agent in each place of payment for any series of debt
securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer
agents with respect to any series of debt securities
(Section 1002).
Neither we nor any trustee will be required to do any of the
following:
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issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of
any series during a period beginning at the opening of business
15 days before there is a selection of debt securities of
that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business
on the day of mailing or publication of the relevant notice of
redemption;
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register the transfer of or exchange any debt security, or
portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed
portion of any debt security being only partially redeemed;
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exchange any debt security in bearer form that is selected for
redemption, except that a debt security in bearer form may be
exchanged for a debt security in registered form of that series
and like denomination, provided that the debt security in
registered form must be simultaneously surrendered for
redemption; or
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issue or register the transfer or exchange of any debt security
that has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the
holder, except the portion, if any, of the debt security that
will not be partially or entirely repaid (Section 305).
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Global
Debt Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in the form of one
or more fully registered global securities that will be
deposited with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary
identified in the prospectus supplement relating to the series
and registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. In
this case, we will issue one or more global securities in a
denomination or total denominations equal to the portion of the
total principal amount of outstanding registered debt securities
of the series to be represented by the global security or
securities. We expect that any global securities issued in the
United States would be deposited with The Depository
Trust Company, as depositary. We may issue any global
securities in fully registered form on a temporary or permanent
basis. Unless and until a global security is exchanged for debt
securities in definitive registered form, a permanent global
security may not be transferred except as a whole by the
depositary to its nominee or by a nominee to the depositary or
another nominee, or by the depositary or its nominee to a
successor of the depositary or the successor depositary’s
nominee.
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The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to
any series of debt securities to be represented by a registered
global security will be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement. We anticipate that the following provisions will
apply to depositary arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be
limited to persons that have accounts with, or are participants
of, the depositary for the registered global security, or
persons that may hold interests through participants. When we
issue a registered global security, the depositary will credit,
on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
participants’ accounts with the respective principal
amounts of the debt securities represented by the global
security owned by those participants. The accounts to be
credited will be designated by any dealers, underwriters or
agents participating in an offering of the debt securities, or
by us or the trustee if we are directly offering the debt
securities. The participants’ ownership, and any transfer,
of a registered global security will be shown on records
maintained by the depositary, and ownership of persons who hold
debt securities through participants will be reflected on the
records of the participants. State and federal laws may impair a
person’s ability to own, transfer or pledge interests in a
registered global securities.
So long as the depositary or its nominee is the registered owner
of the global security, the depositary or its nominee, as the
case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the
debt securities represented by the global security for all
purposes under the indenture. Except as set forth below, owners
of beneficial interests in a global security will not be
entitled to have the debt securities represented by the
registered global security registered in their names, will not
receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt
securities in definitive form, and will not be considered the
owners or holders of the debt securities under the indenture.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a
registered global security must rely on the depositary’s
procedures and, if that person is not a participant, on the
procedures of the participant through which that person owns its
interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the
indenture. We understand that under existing industry practices,
if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a
beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to
give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or
take under the indenture, the depositary would authorize the
participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give
or take the action, and the participants would authorize
beneficial owners owning through those participants to give or
take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of
beneficial owners holding through them.
Payments of principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount,
interest or Additional Amounts on, a registered global security
will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may
be, as the registered owners of the global security. Neither we,
the trustee, the paying agent nor the registrar, nor any other
agent of ours or of the trustee, will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments
made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the global
security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that once the depositary receives any payment of
principal of, any premium, Make-Whole Amounts, interest or
Additional Amount on, a registered global security, the
depositary will immediately credit participants’ accounts
with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective
beneficial interests in the global security, as shown on the
records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in the registered
global security held through the participants will be governed
by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is
now the case with the securities held for the accounts of
customers in bearer form or registered in “street
name,” and will be the responsibility of the participants.
If the depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue
as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and we do not
appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we will
issue debt securities in definitive form in exchange for the
registered global security. In addition, we may at any time and
in our sole discretion decide not to have any of the debt
securities of a series represented by one or more global
securities and, in such event, we will issue debt securities in
definitive form in exchange for all of the global security or
securities representing the debt securities. We will register
any debt securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a
global security in the name or names that the depositary
provides to the trustee. We expect that those names will be
based upon
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directions received by the depositary from participants with
respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global
security.
Debt securities in bearer form may also be issued in the form of
one or more global securities that will be deposited with a
common depositary for Euroclear and CEDEL, or with a nominee for
the depositary identified in the applicable prospectus
supplement. We will describe in the applicable prospectus
supplement the specific terms and procedures of the depositary
arrangement, including the specific terms of the depositary
arrangement and any specific procedures, for the issuance of
debt securities in definitive form in exchange for a global
security in bearer form, with respect to any portion of a series
of debt securities to be represented by a global security in
bearer form.
Merger,
Consolidation or Sale
We may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or
substantially all of our assets to, or merge with or into, any
other corporation, trust or entity provided that:
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we are the survivor in the transaction, or the survivor, if not
us, is an entity organized under the laws of the United States
or a state of the United States which expressly assumes by
supplemental indenture the due and punctual payment of the
principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest and
Additional Amounts on, all of the outstanding debt securities
and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of
the covenants and conditions contained in the indenture;
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immediately after giving effect to the transaction and treating
any indebtedness that becomes an obligation of ours or one of
our subsidiaries as a result of the transaction as having been
incurred by us or our subsidiary at the time of the transaction,
there is no event of default under the indenture, and no event
which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become
an event of default; and
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we deliver a certificate, signed by one of our officers, and an
opinion of our legal counsel, as to the satisfaction of
conditions contained in the indenture (Sections 801 and
803). This covenant would not apply to any recapitalization
transaction, a change of control of us or a transaction in which
we incur a large amount of additional debt unless the
transactions or change of control included a merger,
consolidation or transfer or lease of substantially all of our
assets. Except as may be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement, there are no covenants or other provisions in the
indenture providing for a “put” right or increased
interest or that would otherwise afford holders of debt
securities additional protection in the event of a
recapitalization transaction, a change of control of us or a
transaction in which we incur a large amount of additional debt.
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Certain
Covenants
Existence. Except as permitted under the
section entitled “— Merger, Consolidation or
Sale” above, we will do or cause to be done all things
necessary to preserve and keep our and our Subsidiaries’
legal existence, rights and franchises in full force and effect.
We will not, however, be required to preserve any right or
franchise if we determine that the preservation of that right or
franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of our business
and that its loss is not disadvantageous in any material respect
to the holders of any debt securities (Section 1005).
Maintenance of Properties. We will cause all
of our material properties used or useful in the conduct of our
business, or the business of any of our subsidiaries, to be
maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order
and supplied with all necessary equipment. We will also cause to
be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements,
betterments and improvements of those properties, as we in our
judgment believe is necessary to properly and advantageously
carry on the business related to those properties at all times.
We will not, however, be prevented from selling or otherwise
disposing of our properties, or the properties of our
subsidiaries, in the ordinary course of business
(Section 1006).
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Insurance. We and each of our subsidiaries
must keep all of our insurable properties insured against loss
or damage with commercially reasonable amounts and types of
insurance provided by insurers of recognized responsibility
(Section 1007).
Payment
of Taxes and Other Claims
We will pay or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged,
before they become delinquent, the following:
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all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or
imposed upon us or any of our subsidiaries, or upon the income,
profits or property of us or of any of our subsidiaries, and
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all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if
unpaid, might by law become a lien upon our property or the
property of any of our subsidiaries.
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We will not, however, be required to pay or discharge, or cause
to be paid or discharged, any tax, assessment, charge or claim
the amount, applicability or validity of which is being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
(Section 1008).
Provision of Financial Information. Whether or
not we are subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, we will
file annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents with
the SEC pursuant to Sections 13 and 15(d) as if we were so
subject, on or prior to the dates by which we are or would have
been required to file those documents if we were so subject. In
any event, we will:
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file with the applicable trustee copies of the annual reports,
quarterly reports and other documents that we are or would be
required to file with the SEC under Sections 13 and 15(d)
of the Exchange Act within 15 days of each of the
respective dates by which we are or would have been required to
file those reports with the SEC; and
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promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost
of duplication and delivery, supply copies of those documents to
holders and any prospective holders of debt securities if filing
those documents with the SEC is not permitted under the Exchange
Act (Section 1009).
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Waiver of Certain Covenants. We may choose not
to comply with any term, provision or condition of the foregoing
covenants, or with any other term, provision or condition with
respect to the debt securities of a series if, before or after
the time for compliance, the holders of at least a majority in
principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the
series either waive the compliance in that particular instance
or in general waive compliance with that covenant or condition.
This does not apply to any terms, provisions or conditions that,
by their terms, cannot be amended without the consent of all
holders of debt securities of the series. Unless the holders
expressly waive compliance with a covenant and the waiver has
become effective, our obligations and the duties of the trustee
in respect of any term, provision or condition will remain in
full force and effect (Section 1012).
Additional
Covenants.
Any additional covenants with respect to any series of debt
securities will be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Events of
Default, Notice and Waiver
Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the following events are “events of
default” with respect to any series of debt securities that
we may issue under the indenture:
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we fail for 30 days to pay any installment of interest or
any Additional Amounts payable on any debt security of that
series;
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we fail to pay the principal of, or any premium or Make-Whole
Amount on, any debt security of that series when due, either at
maturity, redemption or otherwise;
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we fail to make any sinking fund payment as required for any
debt security of that series;
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we breach or fail to perform any covenant or warranty contained
in the indenture, other than a covenant added solely for the
benefit of a different series of debt securities issued under
the indenture or except as otherwise provided for in the
indenture, and our breach or failure to perform continues for
60 days after we have received written notice in accordance
with the indenture of our breach or failure to perform;
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we default under a bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or
instrument evidencing indebtedness for money borrowed by us, or
by any subsidiaries of ours that we have guaranteed or for which
we are directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor,
that has a principal amount outstanding of $10,000,000 or more,
other than indebtedness which is non-recourse to us or our
subsidiaries, which default has caused the indebtedness to
become due and payable earlier than it would otherwise have
become due and payable, and the indebtedness has not been
discharged or the acceleration has not been rescinded or
annulled, within 30 days after written notice was provided
to us in accordance with the indenture;
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the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or court
appointment of a receiver, liquidator or appointment of a
trustee for us or of any of our Significant Subsidiaries, or for
all or substantially all of our properties or the properties of
our Significant Subsidiaries (Section 101); and
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any other event of default described in the applicable
prospectus supplement and indenture (Section 501).
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If there is a continuing event of default with respect to
outstanding debt securities of a series, then the trustee or the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding debt securities of that series, voting as a
single class, may declare immediately due and payable the
principal amount or other amount as may be specified by the
terms of those debt securities and any premium or Make-Whole
Amount on the debt securities of that series. However, at any
time after an acceleration with respect to debt securities of a
series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the
holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of that series may cancel the
acceleration and annul its consequences if:
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we pay or deposit with the trustee all required payments of the
principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest, and
Additional Amounts on, the applicable series of debt securities,
plus fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
trustee; and
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all events of default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated
principal, premium, Make-Whole Amount or interest, with respect
to the applicable series of debt securities have been cured or
waived as provided in the indenture (Section 502).
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The indenture also provides that the holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities
of any series may waive any past default with respect to that
series and its consequences, except a default involving:
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our failure to pay the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole
Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, any debt
security; or
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a covenant or provision contained in the indenture that cannot
be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of
each outstanding debt security affected by the default
(Section 513).
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The trustee is generally required to give notice to the holders
of debt securities of each affected series within 90 days
of a default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the
Trustee unless the default has been cured or waived. The trustee
may, however, withhold notice of default unless the default
relates to:
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our failure to pay the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole
Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, any debt security of
that series; or
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any sinking fund installment for any debt securities of that
series,
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if the Responsible Officers of the trustee in good faith
consider it to be in the interest of the holders of the debt
securities of that series (Sections 101 and 601).
The indenture provides that no holder of debt securities of any
series may institute a proceeding with respect to the indenture
or for any remedy under the indenture, unless the trustee fails
to act, for 60 days, after it has received a written notice
of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt
securities of that series from such holder and a written request
to institute proceedings in respect of an event of default from
the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of that series, as well as an offer
of indemnity satisfactory to the trustee; provided no direction
inconsistent with such request has been given to the trustee
during such
60-day
period by the holders of a majority in principal amount of
outstanding debt securities of that series (Section 507).
This provision will not prevent, however, any holder of debt
securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment
of the principal of, and any premium,
Make-Whole
Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, the debt securities
at their respective due dates (Section 508).
Subject to provisions in the indenture relating to the
trustee’s duties in case of default, the trustee is not
under an obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the indenture at the request or direction of any holders
of any series of debt securities then outstanding, unless the
holders have offered to the trustee security or indemnity
satisfactory to it (Section 602). Subject to these
provisions for the indemnification of the trustee, the holders
of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the trustee, or of exercising any
trust or power conferred upon the trustee. The trustee may,
however, refuse to follow any direction which conflicts with any
law or the indenture, which may involve the trustee in personal
liability or which may be unduly prejudicial to the holders of
debt securities of the applicable series not joining in the
direction (Section 512).
Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, we
must deliver to the trustee a certificate, signed by one of
several specified officers, stating that officer’s
knowledge of our compliance with all the conditions and
covenants under the indenture, and, in the event of any
noncompliance, specifying the noncompliance and the nature and
status of the noncompliance (Section 1010).
Modification
of the Indenture
The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of
all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture must
consent to any modifications and amendments of the indenture.
However, no modification or amendment may, without the consent
of each holder of the outstanding debt securities affected, do
any of the following:
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change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any premium,
Make-Whole Amount or installment of principal of, or interest
on, any debt security;
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reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of
interest on, any premium or
Make-Whole
Amount payable on redemption of, or any Additional Amounts
payable with respect to, any debt security or change any
obligation to pay Additional Amounts except as permitted by the
indenture;
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reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount
security or any Make-Whole Amount that would be due and payable
upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the original
discount or other security, or would be provable in bankruptcy,
or adversely affect any right of repayment of the holder of any
debt security;
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change the place of payment or the currency or currencies of
payment of the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount,
interest, or Additional Amounts on, any debt security;
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impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
payment on or with respect to any debt security;
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reduce the percentage of the holders of outstanding debt
securities of any series necessary to modify or amend the
indenture, to waive compliance with provisions of the indenture
or defaults and their consequences under the indenture, or to
reduce the quorum or voting requirements contained in the
indenture;
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make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or
exchange any debt security other than as permitted by the
indenture or decrease the conversion or exchange rate or
increase the conversion or exchange price of any such debt
security; or
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modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of the provisions
relating to the waiver of past defaults or covenants, except to
increase the required percentage of holders necessary to effect
that action or to provide that other provisions may not be
modified or waived without the consent of the holder of the debt
security (Section 902).
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The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of
outstanding debt securities have the right to waive compliance
by us with some of the covenants in the indenture
(Section 1012). We and the trustee may modify or amend the
indenture, without the consent of any holder of debt securities,
for any of the following purposes:
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to evidence the succession of another person to us as obligor
under the indenture;
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to add to our existing covenants additional covenants for the
benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities,
or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the
indenture;
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to add events of default for the benefit of the holders of all
or any series of debt securities;
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to add or change any provisions of the indenture to facilitate
the issuance of, or to liberalize the terms of, debt securities
in bearer form, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt
securities in uncertificated form, provided that this action
will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the
debt securities of any series in any material respect;
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to add, change or eliminate any provisions of the indenture,
provided that any addition, change or elimination shall neither
apply to any debt security of any series created prior to the
execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the
benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the holder of
any debt security with respect to such provision or become
effective only when there are no outstanding debt securities;
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to secure the debt securities;
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to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series,
including the provisions and procedures, if applicable, for the
conversion or exchange of the debt securities into our common
stock, preferred stock or other securities or property;
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to evidence and provide for the acceptance or appointment of a
successor trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts
under the indenture by more than one trustee;
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to make any provision with respect to the conversion or exchange
of rights of holders pursuant to the requirements of the
indenture;
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to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture,
provided that the action does not adversely affect the interests
of holders of debt securities of any series issued under that
indenture;
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to close the indenture with respect to the authentication and
delivery of additional series of debt securities or to qualify,
or maintain qualification of, the indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act; or
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to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture to the
extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and
discharge of any series of debt securities, provided that the
action shall
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not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt
securities of any series in any material respect
(Section 901).
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Discharge,
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Unless the terms of a series of debt securities provide
otherwise, under the indenture, we may discharge some of our
obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that:
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have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation
and that either have become due and payable or will become due
and payable within one year; or
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are scheduled for redemption within one year.
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We can discharge these obligations by irrevocably depositing
with the trustee funds in the currency or currencies in which
the debt securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay
and discharge the entire indebtedness on those debt securities,
including principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount,
interest and Additional Amounts on, the debt securities on and
up to the date of such deposit, or, if the debt securities have
become due and payable, on and up to the stated maturity or
redemption date, as the case may be (Section 401).
In addition, if the terms of the debt securities of a series
permit us to do so, we may elect either of the following:
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to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with
respect to the debt securities, except our obligations to
(Section 1402):
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pay any Additional Amounts upon the occurrence of several
particular tax and other events;
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register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities;
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replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt
securities;
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maintain an office or agency for the debt securities; and
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hold monies for payment in trust; or
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to be released from our obligations with respect to the debt
securities under sections of the indenture described under
“— Certain Covenants” or, if permitted by the
terms of the debt securities, our obligations with respect to
any other covenant.
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If we choose to be released from our obligations under the
covenants, our failure to comply with any of the obligations
imposed on us by the covenants will not constitute a default or
an event of default with respect to the debt securities
(Section 1403). However, to make either election, we must
irrevocably deposit with the trustee an amount, in such currency
or currencies in which the debt securities are payable at stated
maturity, or in Government Obligations (Section 101), or
both, that will provide sufficient funds to pay the principal
of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest and Additional
Amounts on, the debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund
or similar payments on the debt securities, on the relevant
scheduled due dates.
We may defease and discharge our obligations, as described in
the preceding paragraphs, only if, among other things, we have
delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect
that:
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the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income,
gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a
result of the defeasance or covenant defeasance described in the
previous paragraphs and will be subject to United States federal
income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if the defeasance or
covenant defeasance had not occurred; and
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in the case of defeasance, the opinion of counsel must refer to,
and be based upon, a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a
change in applicable United States federal income tax laws
occurring after the date of the indenture (Section 1404);
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Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement, if, after we have deposited funds
and/or
Government Obligations to effect defeasance or covenant
defeasance with respect to debt securities of any series:
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the holder of a debt security of the series elects to receive
payment in a currency other than that in which the deposit has
been made in respect of the debt security
(Section 301); or
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a conversion event, as defined below, occurs in respect of the
currency in which the deposit has been made; then the
indebtedness represented by the debt security will be fully
discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal
of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount and interest on, the debt
security as they become due, and Additional Amounts, if any, out
of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount deposited in
respect of the debt security into the currency in which the debt
security becomes payable as a result of the holder’s
election or the conversion event based on the applicable market
exchange rate (Section 1405).
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Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement, a “conversion event” means the cessation
of use of:
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a currency issued by the government of one or more countries
other than the United States, both by the government of the
country that issued that currency and for the settlement of
transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of
or within the international banking community;
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the European Community, both within the European Monetary System
and, for the settlement of transactions, by public institutions
of or within the European Community; or
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any currency for the purposes for which it was established
(Section 101).
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Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement, we will make all payments of principal of, and any
premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest and Additional Amounts on,
any debt security that is payable in a foreign currency that
ceases to be used by its government of issuance in United States
dollars.
In the event that we effect covenant defeasance with respect to
any debt securities and the debt securities are declared due and
payable because of the occurrence of an event of default other
than:
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the event of default described in the fourth bullet under
“— Events of Default, Notice and Waiver,” which
would no longer be applicable to the debt securities of that
series (Sections 1005 to 1009); or
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the event of default described in the seventh bullet under
“— Events of Default, Notice and Waiver” with
respect to a covenant as to which there has been covenant
defeasance;
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then the amount on deposit with the trustee will still be
sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities at the time
of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay
amounts due on the debt securities at the time of the
acceleration resulting from the event of default. In this case,
we would remain liable to make payment of the amounts due at the
time of acceleration.
The applicable prospectus supplement may describe any additional
provisions permitting defeasance or covenant defeasance,
including any modifications to the provisions described above,
with respect to a particular series of debt securities.
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Conversion
and Exchange Rights
The terms on which debt securities of any series are convertible
into or exchangeable for our common stock, preferred stock or
other securities or property will be described in the applicable
prospectus supplement. These terms will include:
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the conversion or exchange price, or the manner of calculating
the price;
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the exchange or conversion period;
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whether the conversion or exchange is mandatory, or voluntary at
the option of the holder or at our option;
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any restrictions on conversion or exchange in the event of
redemption of the debt securities and any restrictions on
conversion or exchange, including restrictions directed at
maintaining our status as a REIT; and
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the means of calculating the number of shares of our common
stock, preferred stock or other securities or property to be
received by the holders of debt securities.
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The conversion or exchange price of any debt securities of any
series that are convertible into our common stock or preferred
stock may be adjusted for any stock dividends, stock splits,
reclassification, combinations or similar transactions, as set
forth in the applicable prospectus supplement
(Article Sixteen).
Governing
Law
The indenture is governed by and shall be construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.
Redemption
of Debt Securities
The debt securities may be subject to optional or mandatory
redemption on terms and conditions described in the applicable
prospectus supplement. Subject to such terms, we may opt at any
time to partially or entirely redeem the debt securities.
From and after notice has been given as provided in the
indenture, if funds for the redemption of any debt securities
called for redemption shall have been made available on the
redemption date, the debt securities will cease to bear interest
on the date fixed for the redemption specified in the notice,
and the only right of the holders of the debt securities will be
to receive payment of the redemption price.
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DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
The following summary describes generally the terms of warrants
that we may offer from time to time in one or more series. The
specific terms of a series of warrants will be described in the
applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series of
warrants along with any general provisions applicable to that
series of warrants. The following description of the warrants,
and any description of the warrants in a prospectus supplement,
may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its
entirety by reference to, the underlying warrant agreement,
which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of the
sale of the warrants. You should refer to, and read this summary
together with, the warrant agreement and the applicable
prospectus supplement to review the terms of a particular series
of our common or preferred stock that may be important to you.
You can obtain copies of any form of warrant agreement or other
agreement pursuant to which the warrants are issued by following
the directions described under the caption “Where You Can
Find More Information.”
We may issue warrants to purchase depositary shares, debt
securities, shares of our common stock or preferred stock, or
any combination of those securities. We may issue warrants
independently or together with any other securities, and the
warrants may be attached to, or separate from, any other
securities. Each series of warrants to be issued will be issued
under a separate warrant agreement between us and a warrant
agent specified in the related prospectus supplement. The
warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with
the warrants of a series and will not assume any obligation or
relationship of agency or trust for or with holders or
beneficial owners of the warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of
any warrants, including the following:
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the title of the warrants;
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the total number of warrants;
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the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued and
sold;
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the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or
currency units, in which the price of the warrants may be
payable;
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the designation and terms of the securities purchasable upon
exercise of the warrants;
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the price at which, and the currency or currencies, including
composite currencies or currency units, in which the securities
purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;
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the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall
commence and the date on which that right will expire;
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whether the warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer
form;
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if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants
which may be exercised at any one time;
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if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the
related underlying securities will be separately transferable;
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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
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if applicable, a summary of the United States federal income tax
considerations; and
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any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and
limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the
warrants, including restrictions directed at maintaining our
REIT status.
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Warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant
certificates of different denominations, and warrants may be
exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or
any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of
warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the
respective underlying securities purchasable upon exercise of
the warrants.
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MATERIAL
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general summary of the material
U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and
our security holders and our election to be taxed as a REIT. It
is not tax advice. This summary is not intended to represent a
detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax
consequences applicable to particular stockholders or
security holders in view of their particular circumstances and
is not intended to represent a description of the
U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to
stockholders subject to special treatment under the
U.S. federal income tax laws, including insurance
companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions and
securities broker-dealers.
The sections of the Code relating to our qualification and
operation as a REIT are highly technical and complex. The
following discussion sets forth the material aspects of the Code
sections that govern the U.S. federal income tax treatment
of a REIT and its security holders. The information in this
section is based on the Code, current, temporary and proposed
Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code, the legislative
history of the Code, current administrative interpretations and
practices of the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, and court
decisions, in each case as of the date of this prospectus. In
addition, the administrative interpretations and practices of
the IRS include its practices and policies as expressed in
private letter rulings, which are not binding on the IRS except
with respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and
received those rulings. Future legislation, Treasury
regulations, administrative interpretations and practices and
court decisions may adversely affect the tax considerations
described in this discussion. Any change could apply
retroactively to transactions preceding the date of the change.
Except as described below, we have not requested, and do not
plan to request, any rulings from the IRS concerning our tax
treatment or the treatment of our security holders, and the
statements in this prospectus are not binding on the IRS or any
court. Thus, we can provide no assurance that the tax
considerations described in this discussion will not be
challenged by the IRS or, if challenged, will be sustained by a
court.
You are urged to consult your own tax adviser regarding the
federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences to you
of the purchase, ownership and sale of our securities and our
election to be taxed as a REIT.
Taxation
of the Company as a REIT
General
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under sections 856 through
860 of the Code commencing with our taxable year beginning
January 1, 1995, and we believe we have been organized and
have operated in a manner that allows us to qualify for taxation
as a REIT since then. We intend to continue to operate in this
manner, but there is no assurance that we have operated or will
continue to operate in a manner so as to qualify or remain
qualified as a REIT.
As a condition to the closing of each offering of securities
offered by this prospectus, other than offerings of medium term
notes and as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, our tax counsel will render an opinion to the
underwriters of that offering to the effect that, commencing
with our taxable year that began January 1, 1995, we have
been organized in conformity with the requirements for
qualification as a REIT, and our method of operation has enabled
us to meet, and our proposed method of operation will enable us
to continue to meet, the requirements for qualification and
taxation as a REIT under the Code. It must be emphasized that
this opinion will be based on various assumptions and
representations that we will make as to factual matters,
including representations to be made in a factual certificate to
be provided by one of our officers. In addition, this opinion
will be based on our factual representations set forth in this
prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement. Our tax
counsel will have no obligation to update its opinion subsequent
to the date it is rendered. Moreover, our qualification and
taxation as a REIT depend on our ability to meet, through actual
annual operating results, asset diversification, distributions
and diversity of stock ownership, the various qualification
tests imposed by the Code, discussed below, the results of which
will not be reviewed by our tax counsel. Accordingly, no
assurance can be given that our actual results of operations for
any particular taxable year will satisfy those requirements.
Further, the anticipated
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U.S. federal income tax treatment described in this
prospectus may be changed, perhaps retroactively, by
legislative, administrative or judicial action at any time.
If we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be
required to pay U.S. federal corporate income tax on our
net income that is currently distributed to our stockholders.
This treatment substantially eliminates the “double
taxation” that generally results from investment in a
corporation. Double taxation means taxation once at the
corporate level when income is earned and again at the
stockholder level when the income is distributed. We will be
required to pay U.S. federal income tax, however, as
follows:
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We will be required to pay tax at regular corporate rates on any
undistributed real estate investment trust taxable income,
including undistributed net capital gains.
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We may be required to pay the “alternative minimum
tax” on our items of tax preference.
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If we have (1) net income from the sale or other
disposition of foreclosure property that is held primarily for
sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or
(2) other non-qualifying income from foreclosure property,
we will be required to pay tax at the highest corporate rate on
that income. Foreclosure property is generally defined as
property acquired by foreclosure or after a default on a loan
secured by the property or a lease of the property.
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We will be required to pay a 100% tax on any net income from
prohibited transactions. Subject to a statutory safe harbor,
prohibited transactions are, in general, sales or other
dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, held
primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of
business.
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If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross
income test, as described below, but we have otherwise
maintained our qualification as a REIT, we will be required to
pay a 100% tax on an amount equal to (1) the greater of
(a) the amount by which 75% of our gross income exceeds the
amount of our gross income qualifying for the 75% gross income
test, described below, and (b) the amount by which 95% (90%
taxable years ending on or prior to December 31,
2004) of our gross income exceeds the amount of our gross
income qualifying for the 95% gross income test, described
below, multiplied by (2) a fraction intended to reflect our
profitability.
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If we fail to distribute during any calendar year at least the
sum of (1) 85% of our real estate investment trust ordinary
income for that year, (2) 95% of our real estate investment
trust capital gain net income for that year and (3) any
undistributed ordinary income and net capital gain from prior
periods, we will be required to pay a 4% excise tax on the
excess of that required distribution over the amounts actually
distributed.
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If we acquire any asset from a corporation that is or has been a
C corporation in a transaction in which the basis of the asset
in our hands is determined by reference to the basis of the
asset in the hands of the C corporation, and we subsequently
recognize gain on the disposition of that asset during the ten
year period beginning on the date we acquired the asset, we will
be required to pay tax at the highest regular corporate tax rate
on the lesser of (1) the amount of that gain and
(2) the excess of (a) the fair market value of the
asset over (b) our adjusted basis in the asset, in each
case determined as of the date we acquired the asset. A C
corporation is generally defined as a corporation required to
pay full corporate level tax.
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After our taxable year ending December 31, 2005, if we fail
to satisfy any of the REIT asset tests (described below) by more
than a de minimis amount, due to reasonable cause, and we
nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification because of specified
cure provisions, we will be required to pay a tax equal to the
greater of $50,000 and the highest corporate tax rate multiplied
by the net income generated by the nonqualifying assets.
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After our taxable year ending December 31, 2005, if we fail
to satisfy any provisions of the Code that would result in our
failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a violation of the REIT
gross income or asset tests described below), and the violation
is due to reasonable cause, we
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may retain our REIT qualification, but we will be required to
pay a penalty of $50,000 for each failure.
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If it is determined that amounts of certain income and expense
were not allocated between us and a taxable REIT subsidiary (as
defined herein) on the basis of arm’s length dealing, or to
the extent we charge a taxable REIT subsidiary interest in
excess of a commercially reasonable rate, we will be subject to
a tax equal to 100% of those amounts.
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Requirements for Qualification. The Code
defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors,
(2) that issues transferable shares or transferable
certificates to evidence beneficial ownership,
(3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for
sections 856 through 859 of the Code,
(4) that is not a financial institution or an insurance
company within the meaning of the Code,
(5) that is beneficially owned by 100 or more persons,
(6) not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock of
which is owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer
individuals, including specified entities in certain
circumstances, during the last half of each taxable
year, and
(7) that meets other tests, described below, regarding the
nature of its income and assets and the amount of its
distributions.
The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must
be met during the entire taxable year and that condition
(5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable
year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a
taxable year of less than 12 months. For purposes of
condition (6), an “individual” generally includes a
supplemental unemployment compensation benefit plan, a private
foundation, or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or
used exclusively for charitable purposes but does not include a
qualified pension plan or profit sharing trust.
We have satisfied condition (5) and believe that we have
satisfied condition (6). In addition, our charter provides, and
the articles supplementary for any series of preferred stock
will provide, for restrictions on the ownership and transfer of
our stock. Those restrictions are intended to assist us in
continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements described
in conditions (5) and (6) above. The ownership and
transfer restrictions pertaining generally to our common stock
and preferred stock are described in “Description of Common
and Preferred Stock — REIT Ownership Limitations”
or, to the extent those restrictions differ from those described
in this prospectus, those restrictions will be described in the
applicable prospectus supplement. There can be no assurance that
those transfer restrictions in all cases will prevent a
violation of the stock ownership provisions described in
conditions (5) and (6) above. However, we will be
treated as satisfying condition (6) for any taxable year
for which we comply with the regulatory requirements to request
information from our stockholders regarding their actual
ownership of our shares, and we do not know, or exercising
reasonable due diligence would not have known, that we failed to
satisfy that condition. We intend to comply with those
regulations. Failure to do so will subject us to a fine.
In addition, a corporation may not elect to become a REIT unless
its taxable year is the calendar year. We have a calendar
taxable year.
Ownership of Qualified REIT Subsidiaries and Interests in
Partnerships. We own and operate a number of
properties through subsidiaries. Section 856(i) of the Code
provides that a corporation that is a “qualified REIT
subsidiary” will not be treated as a separate corporation
for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, and all assets,
liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of a
“qualified REIT subsidiary” will be treated as assets,
liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the
REIT. Thus, in applying the
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requirements described herein, our “qualified REIT
subsidiaries” will be ignored, and all assets, liabilities
and items of income, deduction and credit of those subsidiaries
will be treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income,
deduction and credit.
Treasury regulations provide that if we are a partner in a
partnership, we will be deemed to own our proportionate share of
the assets of the partnership. In addition, we will take into
account the income of the partnership attributable to our
proportionate interest in the partnership. The assets and gross
income of the partnership will retain the same character in our
hands for purposes of section 856 of the Code, including
satisfying the asset tests and gross income tests described
below. The treatment described above also applies to limited
liability companies that are treated as partnerships. Thus, our
proportionate share of the assets, liabilities and items of
income of the partnerships and limited liability companies that
are treated as partnerships in which we are a partner or a
member, respectively, will be treated as our assets, liabilities
and items of income for purposes of applying the income tests
and asset tests applicable to a REIT.
Income Tests. We must satisfy two gross income
requirements annually to maintain our qualification as a REIT:
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First, in each taxable year, we generally must derive at least
75% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited
transactions, from (a) investments relating to real
property or mortgages on real property, including rents from
real property or interest on mortgage loans or (b) certain
types of temporary investments.
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Second, in each taxable year, we generally must derive at least
95% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited
transactions, from (a) the real property investments that
qualify for the 75% test and (b) dividends, interest or
gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities.
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For these purposes, the term “interest” generally does
not include any amount received or accrued, directly or
indirectly, if the determination of that amount depends in whole
or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an
amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from
the term “interest” solely by reason of being based on
a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.
Rents we receive will qualify as “rents from real
property” in satisfying the gross income requirements for a
REIT only if the following conditions are met:
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First, the amount of rent is not based in whole or in part on
the income or profits of any person. However, an amount
generally will not be excluded from the term “rents from
real property” solely by reason of being based on a fixed
percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.
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Second, neither we nor an actual or constructive owner of 10% or
more of our stock owns, actually or constructively, 10% or more
of the equity interests in the tenant.
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Third, rent attributable to personal property leased in
connection with a lease of real property is not greater than 15%
of the total rent received under the lease. If this condition is
not met, the portion of the rent attributable to personal
property will not qualify as “rents from real
property.”
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Finally, we generally must not operate or manage our property or
furnish or render services to our tenants except through
(i) a taxable REIT subsidiary (described below) or
(ii) an “independent contractor” that satisfies
certain stock ownership restrictions, that is adequately
compensated and from whom we derive no income. We are not
required to use a taxable REIT subsidiary or independent
contractor, however, to the extent that any service we provide,
referred to as a “permissible service”, is
“usually or customarily rendered” in connection with
the rental of space for occupancy only or is not considered
“rendered to the occupant” of the property. Rents
received generally will qualify as rents from real property
notwithstanding the fact that we provide services that are not
permissible services so long as the amount received for those
services meets a de minimis standard. The amount received
for impermissible services with respect to a property (or, if
services are available only to certain tenants, possibly with
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respect to those tenants) cannot exceed one percent of all
amounts we receive, directly or indirectly, with respect to that
property (or, if services are available only to certain tenants,
possibly with respect to those tenants). The amount that we will
be deemed to have received for performing impermissible services
will be the greater of the actual amounts received and 150% of
our direct cost of providing those services.
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We generally do not intend to receive rent that fails to satisfy
any of the foregoing conditions unless, based on the advice of
our tax counsel, doing so will not jeopardize our status as a
REIT.
Recent legislation provides that the numerator and denominator
of the income tests will not include (1) income from a
hedging transaction entered into after July 30, 2008
primarily to manage the risk of (a) interest rate changes
with respect to borrowings to acquire or carry real estate
assets or (b) currency fluctuations with respect to an item
of qualifying income under the 95% or 75% income test or
(2) most real estate-related foreign currency gain
recognized after July 30, 2008 (provided it is not derived
from substantial and regular trading or dealing in securities).
Changes were also made to the asset tests, foreclosure property
and prohibited transaction provisions of the Code to conform to
the change in the rules on foreign currency gain.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income
tests for any taxable year, we nevertheless may qualify as a
REIT if we are entitled to relief under the Code. Generally, we
may avail ourselves of the relief provisions if:
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our failure to satisfy the gross income tests was due to
reasonable cause and not willful neglect,
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we file with the IRS a schedule of the sources of our income
after discovering a failure to meet a gross income test (or, for
our taxable years ending before 2005, we attach that schedule to
our U.S. federal income tax return), and
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for taxable years beginning before Oct. 23, 2004, any incorrect
information on the schedule is not due to fraud with intent to
evade tax.
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It is not possible to predict whether in all circumstances we
would be entitled to the benefit of the relief provisions. As
discussed above under “— General,” even if the
relief provisions apply, a 100% tax would be imposed with
respect to our non-qualifying income, and if the relief
provisions do not apply to a particular set of circumstances, we
will not qualify as a REIT.
Prohibited Transaction Income. Any gain that
we realize on the sale of any property held as inventory or
other property held primarily for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of business will be treated as income from a
prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty tax.
Prohibited transaction income may also have an adverse effect on
our ability to satisfy the income tests for qualification as a
REIT. Under existing law, subject to a statutory safe harbor,
whether property is held as inventory or primarily for sale to
customers in the ordinary course of business is a question of
fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances with
respect to a particular transaction. We hold our properties for
investment with a view to long-term appreciation, we are engaged
in the business of acquiring, developing, owning and operating
our properties and we make occasional sales of properties
consistent with our investment objectives. There can be no
assurance, however, that the IRS might not contend that one or
more of those sales is subject to the 100% penalty tax.
Asset Tests. To maintain our qualification as
a REIT we must also satisfy, at the close of each quarter of
each taxable year, the following tests relating to the nature
and diversification of our assets.
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At least 75% of the value of our total assets must be
represented by real estate assets, cash and cash items
(including receivables) and government securities.
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No more than 20% of the value of our total assets (25% starting
in 2009) may be securities of one or more taxable REIT
subsidiaries (described below).
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Except for equity investments in REITs, qualified REIT
subsidiaries or taxable REIT subsidiaries or other securities
that qualify as “real estate assets” for purposes of
the 75% asset test:
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the value of any one issuer’s securities we own may not
exceed 5% of the value of our total assets;
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we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s
outstanding voting securities; and
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we may not own more than 10% of the total value of any one
issuer’s outstanding securities.
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The Code provides a safe harbor under which certain types of
debt securities are not treated as “securities” for
purposes of the 10% value test described above, including,
generally, straight debt securities (including straight debt
that provides for certain contingent payments) unless we hold
(either directly or through our “controlled” taxable
REIT subsidiaries) certain other securities of the same
corporate or partnership issuer that have an aggregate value
greater than 1% of that issuer’s outstanding securities,
any loan to an individual or an estate, certain rental
agreements calling for deferred rents or increasing rents that
are subject to section 467 of the Code, other than with
certain related persons, any obligation to pay rents from real
property under the 75% and 95% gross income tests, securities
issued by a State or any political subdivision of a State, the
District of Columbia, a foreign government, any political
subdivision of a foreign government, or the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, but only if the determination of any payment
received or accrued under the security does not depend in whole
or in part on the profits of any person not described in this
category, or payments on any obligation issued by such an
entity, securities issued by another REIT and other arrangements
identified in Treasury regulations (which have not yet been
issued or proposed). In addition, a REIT’s interest as a
partner in a partnership is not considered a
“security” for purposes of applying the 10% value test
to securities issued by the partnership, any debt instrument
issued by the partnership (other than straight debt or other
excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by
the partnership if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross
income is derived from sources that would qualify for the 75%
REIT gross income test, and any debt instrument issued by a
partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded
security) will not be considered a security issued by the
partnership to the extent of the REIT’s interest as a
partner in the partnership. If the partnership fails to meet the
75% gross income test, the debt instrument issued by the
partnership nevertheless will not be treated as a
“security” to the extent of our interest as a partner
in the partnership. In addition, in looking through any
partnership to determine our allocable share of any securities
owned by the partnership, our share of the assets of the
partnership, solely for purposes of applying the 10% value test
in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2005,
will correspond not only to our interest as a partner in the
partnership but also to our proportionate interest in certain
debt securities issued by the partnership.
We may hold one or more assets (or provide services to tenants)
through one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. To treat a
subsidiary as a taxable REIT subsidiary, we and the subsidiary
must make a joint election by filing a Form 8875 with the
IRS. We and IRT Capital Corporation II, Southeast
U.S. Holdings, Inc. and Southeast U.S. Holdings, B.V.
have made joint elections to treat IRT Capital Corporation II,
Southeast U.S. Holdings, Inc. and Southeast
U.S. Holdings, B.V. as our taxable REIT subsidiaries. A
taxable REIT subsidiary will pay tax at the corporate rates on
its earnings, but those earnings may include types of income
that might jeopardize our REIT status if we earned it directly.
We may hold up to 100% of the stock in a taxable REIT
subsidiary. To prevent the shifting of income and expenses
between us and a taxable REIT subsidiary, the Code imposes on us
a tax equal to 100% of certain items of income and expense that
are not allocated between us and the taxable REIT subsidiary at
arm’s length. The 100% tax is also imposed to the extent we
charge a taxable REIT subsidiary interest in excess of a
commercially reasonable rate. In the case of a qualified lodging
facility (like a hotel) leased by a REIT (directly or
indirectly) to a taxable REIT subsidiary, the lease payments
will not qualify as REIT-qualified rental income unless the
property is operated on behalf of the taxable REIT subsidiary by
an independent contractor. Moreover, at the time it enters into
the operating agreement, the independent contractor must be
actively engaged in the trade or business of operating qualified
lodging facilities for persons not related to the REIT or the
taxable REIT subsidiary.
We may also hold one or more of our assets through one or more
corporate subsidiaries that satisfy the requirements to be
treated as “qualified REIT subsidiaries.” A qualified
REIT subsidiary is disregarded for
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federal income tax purposes, which means, among other things,
that for purposes of applying the gross income and asset tests,
all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and
credit of the subsidiary will be treated as ours. A subsidiary
is a qualified REIT subsidiary if we own all the stock of the
subsidiary. We may also hold one or more of our assets through
other entities that may be disregarded for federal income tax
purposes, for example, limited liability companies (LLCs) in
which we are the only member.
Finally, as described above, we may hold one or more of our
assets through one or more partnerships. For purposes of
applying the REIT asset and gross income qualification tests,
and in other instances, Treasury regulations will treat us as
owning a proportionate share of a partnership’s gross
income and assets based on our percentage ownership of that
partnership’s capital. For this reason, if we own any
percentage of the capital interests in a partnership that we do
not control, we may be unable to avoid sharing in that
partnership’s non-REIT-qualifying assets and income.
For taxable years commencing on or after January 1, 2005,
if we fail to satisfy the 5% or 10% asset tests described above
after a 30 day cure period prescribed in the Code, we will
be deemed to have met those tests if the value of our
non-qualifying assets is de minimis (that is, that value
does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the total value of our
assets at the end of the applicable quarter and $10,000,000) and
we dispose of the non-qualifying assets (or otherwise cure that
failure) within six months after the last day of the quarter in
which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered. For
violations due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect that
are in excess of the de minimis exception described
above, we may avoid disqualification as a REIT under any of the
asset tests, after the 30 day cure period, by disposing of
sufficient assets (or otherwise curing that failure) to meet the
asset tests within that six month period, paying a tax equal to
the greater of $50,000 and the highest corporate tax rate
multiplied by the net income generated by the non-qualifying
assets and disclosing certain information to the Internal
Revenue Service. If we cannot avail ourself of these relief
provisions, or if we fail to timely cure any noncompliance with
the asset tests, we would cease to qualify as a REIT.
If we satisfy the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we
will not lose our REIT status if we fail to satisfy the asset
tests at the end of a later quarter solely because of changes in
asset values. If our failure to satisfy the asset tests results,
either in whole or in part, from an acquisition of securities or
other property during a quarter, the failure can be cured by
disposing of sufficient non-qualifying assets within
30 days after the close of that quarter. We intend to
maintain adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure
compliance with the asset tests and to take any other action
within 30 days after the close of any quarter as may be
required to cure any noncompliance. In some instances, however,
we may be compelled to dispose of assets that we would prefer to
retain.
Annual Distribution Requirements. To maintain
our qualification as a REIT, we are required to distribute
dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our
stockholders in an amount at least equal to:
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90% of our REIT taxable income, and
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90% of the our after-tax net income, if any, from foreclosure
property, minus
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the excess of the sum of specified items of non-cash income
items over 5% of our REIT taxable income.
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For purposes of the foregoing tests, our REIT taxable income is
computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our
net capital gain. Non-cash income items include cancellation of
indebtedness income, income attributable to leveled stepped
rents, original issue discount, certain income with respect to a
residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit
and gain recognized on a like-kind exchange that is later
determined to be taxable. We believe we have made, and intend to
continue to make, timely distributions sufficient to satisfy
these annual distribution requirements.
We must pay these distributions in the taxable year to which
they relate or in the following taxable year provided we declare
them before we timely file our tax return for the year to which
they relate and provided we pay them within the
12-month
period following the close of that taxable year and not later
than the date of the first regular dividend payment made after
that declaration. The amount distributed must not be
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preferential, that is, each holder of shares of common stock and
each holder of shares of each class of preferred stock must
receive the same distribution per share. To the extent we
distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable
income, as adjusted, or less than all of our net capital gain,
we will be subject to tax on the undistributed amounts at
regular corporate tax rates. For the 2009 tax year, Revenue
Procedure
2008-68
permits a REIT to pay the distributions required to qualify as a
REIT under the Code in its own stock, rather than cash, subject
to certain limitations.
We expect our REIT taxable income to be less than our cash flow
because of depreciation and other non-cash charges included in
computing our REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate
that we generally will have sufficient cash or liquid assets to
enable us to satisfy our distribution requirement. However, it
is possible that, from time to time, we may not have sufficient
cash or other liquid assets to meet the distribution requirement
due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income
and actual payment of deductible expenses and the inclusion of
that income and deduction of those expenses in arriving at our
taxable income. In the event those timing differences occur, in
order to meet the distribution requirement, we may find it
necessary to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term,
borrowings or to pay dividends in the form of taxable stock
dividends.
We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution
requirement for a year by distributing “deficiency
dividends” in a later year which may be included in our
deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may
be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as
deficiency dividends. We will be required, however, to pay
interest based on the amount of any deduction claimed for
deficiency dividends, and we would be subject to any applicable
penalty provisions.
To the extent we fail to distribute our net capital gain, and to
the extent we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of
our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax
at the regular corporate income tax rates. In addition, if we
fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of
(i) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for the year,
(ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain for the year and
(iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods,
we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of those
amounts over the amounts actually distributed. Further, if we
dispose of any asset subject to the built-in gain rule during
the 10-year
recognition period, we will be required to distribute at least
95% of any built-in gain, after tax, recognized on the
disposition. For this purpose, dividends declared in October,
November or December of any calendar year and payable to
stockholders of record on a specified date in that month, are
treated as paid by us and as received by our stockholders on the
last day of the calendar year, provided we actually pay the
dividends no later than in January of the following calendar
year.
In addition, we will be required to pay a 4% excise tax on the
excess of the required distribution over the amounts actually
distributed if we fail to distribute during any calendar year,
or in the case of distributions with declaration and record
dates falling in the last three months of a calendar year, by
the end of the January immediately following that year, at least
the sum of 85% of our ordinary income for that year, 95% of our
capital gain net income for that year, plus, in each case, any
undistributed ordinary income or capital gain net income, as the
case may be, from prior periods. Any ordinary income or capital
gain net income on which this excise tax is imposed for any year
is treated as an amount distributed that year for purposes of
calculating the tax.
Failure to Qualify. If we fail to qualify for
taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and if none of the
relief provisions applies, we will be subject to tax, including
possibly the alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at
regular corporate rates. The failure to qualify for taxation as
a REIT could have a significant adverse effect on the market
value and marketability of the securities offered by this
prospectus. In any year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT,
we will not be able to deduct, and we will not be required to
make, distributions to stockholders. As a result, our failure to
qualify as a REIT would substantially reduce the amount of our
cash available for distribution to stockholders. In that event,
to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and
profits, as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
all of our distributions to stockholders will be taxable as
ordinary income and, subject to applicable limitations,
noncorporate stockholders will be eligible for the maximum 15%
tax rate on dividends prior to January 1, 2009, and
corporate stockholders will be eligible for the dividends
received deduction. Unless entitled to relief under specific
statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from taxation
as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during
which we lost qualification.
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Tax
Aspects of the Partnerships
General. A portion of our investments is held
through our partnerships and limited liability companies, which,
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are generally treated
as partnerships. References to partnerships in the following
discussion also apply to our limited liability companies. In
general, partnerships are “pass-through” entities that
are not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather,
partners are allocated their proportionate shares of the items
of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership and
are potentially subject to tax thereon, without regard to
whether the partners receive a distribution from the
partnership. We include in our income our proportionate share of
our partnerships’ income, gain, loss, deduction and credit
for purposes of the various REIT income tests and in the
computation of our REIT taxable income. In addition, we include
our proportionate share of assets held by our partnerships in
applying the REIT asset tests.
Partnership Classification for Tax
Purposes. Treasury regulations that are effective
as of January 1, 1997 provide that a domestic partnership
is generally taxed as a partnership unless it elects to be taxed
as an association taxable as a corporation. None of the
partnerships in which we are a partner has made or intends to
make that election. These Treasury regulations provide that a
partnership’s claimed classification will be respected for
periods prior to January 1, 1997 if the entity had a
reasonable basis for its claimed classification and had not been
notified in writing on or before May 8, 1996 that its
classification was under examination. If any of our partnerships
were treated as an association taxable as a corporation for a
prior period, and if (i) our interest in any of those
partnerships possessed more than 10% of the total voting power
of all of the partnership interests or, for taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2000, more than 10% of the
total voting power or value of all of the partnership’s
interests, or (ii) the value of that interest exceeded 5%
of the value of our assets, we would cease to qualify as a REIT
for that period and possibly later periods. Moreover, a deemed
change in classification of that partnership from an association
taxable as a corporation to a partnership effective on or after
January 1, 1997 would be a taxable event. We believe that
each of our partnerships has been treated properly for tax
purposes as a partnership and not as an association taxable as a
corporation. However, no assurance can be given that the IRS may
not successfully challenge the status of any of our partnerships.
Tax Allocation with Respect to Our
Properties. When property is contributed to a
partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership, the
partnership generally takes a carryover basis in that property
for tax purposes. That carryover basis is equal to the
contributing partner’s adjusted basis in the property
rather than the fair market value of the property at the time of
contribution. Section 704(c) of the Code requires the
allocation of income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to
the contributed property in a manner that allocates the
unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated with the property
at the time of the contribution to the contributing partner. The
amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss, also known as
a “book-tax difference,” generally is equal to the
difference between the fair market value of the contributed
property at the time of contribution and the adjusted basis of
the property at that time. Those allocations are solely for
U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect the book
capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among
the partners.
In general, partners who have contributed to our partnerships
their interests in properties with a book-tax difference will be
allocated lower amounts of depreciation deductions for tax
purposes than if those deductions were determined on a pro rata
basis. In addition, in the event of the disposition of any of
the contributed assets that has a book-tax difference, all
taxable income attributable to the book-tax difference generally
will be allocated to the contributing partners, and our
companies that are the direct partners of our partnerships
generally will be allocated only their share of gains
attributable to appreciation, if any, occurring after the
acquisition of those properties. These allocations will tend to
eliminate the book-tax differences over the lives of our
partnerships. However, the allocation rules of
section 704(c) of the Code do not always entirely eliminate
the book-tax difference on an annual basis or with respect to a
specific taxable transaction like a sale. In those cases, the
carryover basis of the contributed assets in the hands of our
partnerships may cause us to be allocated lower depreciation and
other deductions and thereby cause us to be allocated more
taxable income than if there were no book-tax difference. As a
result, we could recognize taxable income in excess of
distributed amounts, which might adversely affect our ability to
comply with the REIT distribution requirements, and we
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may realize income on the distribution of cash because our basis
has not increased sufficiently from income allocations. See
“Taxation of the Company as a REIT — Annual
Distribution Requirements.”
Basis in Partnership Interests. Our adjusted
tax basis in our interest in a partnership generally will be
equal to:
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the amount of cash and the basis of any other property that we
contributed to the partnership
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increased by
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our allocable share of the partnership’s income, and
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our allocable share of any indebtedness of the
partnership, and
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decreased, but not below zero, by our allocable share of
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losses incurred by the partnership,
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the amount of any cash distributed to us, and
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the amount of any constructive distributions resulting from a
reduction in our share of any indebtedness of the partnership.
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If a partner’s distributive share of a partnership’s
loss exceeds the adjusted tax basis of the partner in its
partnership interest, the partner will not be entitled to a
deduction for that excess loss until and to the extent the
partner has an adjusted tax basis in its partnership interest.
To the extent distributions by a partnership and any decrease in
a partner’s share of indebtedness of the partnership (which
is treated as a constructive distribution to the partner) exceed
the adjusted tax basis of the partner’s partnership
interest, those excess distributions constitute taxable income
to the partner. That taxable income generally will be
characterized as long-term capital gain if the partner has held
its partnership interest for more than one year, subject to a
reduced maximum tax rate described below in the case of
noncorporate taxpayers. Under current law, capital gains and
ordinary income of corporations are taxed at the same marginal
rates.
Sale of the Partnerships’ Properties. Our
share of any gain that a partnership recognizes on a sale of any
property the partnership holds as inventory or other property
held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of
business, subject to a statutory safe harbor, will be income
from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty
tax. Prohibited transaction income may also have an adverse
effect on our ability to satisfy the income tests for
qualification as a REIT. Under existing law, whether property is
held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of business is a question of fact that depends
on all the facts and circumstances with respect to a particular
property. Our partnerships intend to hold their properties for
investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in
the business of acquiring, developing, owning and operating
their properties, and other properties, and to make occasional
sales of properties, including peripheral land, consistent with
our partnerships’ investment objectives.
Taxation
of Holders
U.S.
Holders
A “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our
common stock, preferred stock or other security that, for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, is:
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a citizen or individual resident of the United States;
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a corporation, including an entity treated as a corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in
or under the law of the United States or any of its political
subdivisions;
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal
income taxation regardless of its source; or
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a trust if (1) a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary supervision over the administration of the
trust, and one or more United States persons have the authority
to control
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all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) the trust
was in existence on August 20, 1996 and properly elected to
continue to be treated as a United States person.
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For any taxable year in which we qualify as a REIT, a taxable
U.S. Holder will be taxed as set forth below.
Dividend Distributions Generally. A
distribution we pay on our common or preferred stock to a
U.S. Holder, other than a capital gain dividend, will
constitute a dividend to the extent paid out of our current or
accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, and, to that extent, will
constitute ordinary income. Any distribution we make that
exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be
treated first as a tax-free return of capital, reducing the
U.S. Holder’s tax basis in our stock to the extent
thereof, and thereafter as gain recognized as if the
U.S. Holder had sold our stock. Dividends we declare in
October, November or December of any year payable to a
stockholder of record on a specified date in any of those months
will be treated as both paid by us and received by our
stockholders on December 31 of that year, provided we actually
pay the dividends during January of the following calendar year.
We will be deemed to have sufficient earnings and profits to
treat as a dividend any distribution we make up to the amount
required to be distributed to avoid imposition of the 4% excise
tax discussed in “Taxation of the Company as a
REIT — Annual Distribution Requirement” above. A
U.S. Holder is not allowed to take any loss we may incur
into account on his own U.S. federal income tax returns.
Our dividends are not eligible for the dividends-received
deduction generally available to corporations. Our dividends
also will not generally constitute “qualified dividend
income” eligible for a maximum 15% tax rate in the hands of
a noncorporate U.S. Holder. However, our dividends will be
designated as “qualified dividend income” and will
qualify for the 15% maximum rate in the hands of a
U.S. Holder that satisfies the relevant holding period and
other requirements if they are attributable to
(i) dividends we received from a taxable REIT subsidiary or
other corporation that is not a REIT, (ii) dividends we
received from other REITs to the extent those dividends qualify
for the 15% maximum rate or (iii) income on which we paid
tax, for example, because we distributed less than all of our
REIT taxable income or sold property acquired from a C
corporation within the preceding ten years with a carryover
basis. The 15% maximum rate on dividends applies to taxable
years beginning after December 31, 2002 and before
January 1, 2011. We do not anticipate that a material
portion of our distributions will be treated as qualified
dividend income.
Capital Gain Dividends. A U.S. Holder
will treat a distribution that we properly designate as a
capital gain dividend as long-term capital gain, to the extent
it does not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable
year, without regard to the period the U.S. Holder has held
our stock. However, a corporate stockholder may be required to
treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary
income. A capital gain dividend is not eligible for the
dividends-received deduction available to corporations.
We may elect to retain and pay U.S. federal income tax on
any net capital gain we may recognize in any taxable year. Net
capital gain is the excess of net long-term capital gain over
net short-term capital loss. In addition, we may elect to treat
our stockholders as receiving an amount not in excess of our net
capital gain for the taxable year. In that case, a
U.S. Holder will include in income his proportionate share
of our undistributed net capital gain as long-term capital gain.
The U.S. Holder also will be deemed to have paid his
proportionate share of tax we paid on our net capital gain and
will receive a credit or refund for the amount of that tax in
computing his U.S. federal income tax liability. A
U.S. Holder’s basis in our shares will increase by the
amount of the undistributed long-term capital gain he includes
in income, reduced by the U.S. Holder’s share of our
tax paid on that gain.
When a REIT designates a distribution as a capital gain
dividend, the REIT may also designate the portions of the
distribution that are subject to the different tax rates
applicable to different categories of capital gains.
Depreciation recapture, for example, is subject to a maximum
rate of 25%. These additional designations by the REIT are
effective only to the extent they do not exceed certain
limitations.
Certain Dispositions of Shares. In general, a
U.S. Holder will recognize capital gain or loss on a sale
or other taxable disposition of our stock equal to the
difference between (1) the amount of cash and the fair
market value of any property he receives on that disposition and
(2) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in
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that stock. The maximum tax rate on adjusted net capital gain
recognized by a noncorporate taxpayer in a taxable year ending
on or after May 6, 2003 and before January 1, 2011 is
15% and thereafter is 20%. A loss that a U.S. Holder
recognizes on a taxable disposition of our stock held for less
than six months, after applying certain holding period rules,
will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any
capital gain dividend the selling U.S. Holder received on
that stock.
Passive Activity Loss and Investment Interest
Limitations. A U.S. Holder may not treat
distributions received from us or any gain recognized on a
disposition of our stock as passive activity income. Therefore,
a U.S. Holder will not be able to apply any “passive
losses” against that income or gain. Dividends we pay, to
the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally
will be treated as investment income for purposes of the
investment interest limitation, although they will not be
treated as investment income unless the recipient elects to
treat them as not eligible for the 15% maximum tax rate on
dividends, to the extent they qualify. Net capital gain from the
disposition of our stock and capital gain dividends generally
will be excluded from investment income unless the recipient
elects to have that gain taxed as ordinary income.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting for our
Distributions. We report to our U.S. Holders
and to the IRS the amount of dividends we paid during the
preceding calendar year and the amount of tax withheld, if any.
Under the backup withholding rules, a U.S. Holder may be
subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid
unless the stockholder either is a corporation or comes within
certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates
that fact, or provides a taxpayer identification number,
certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding and
otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the
backup withholding rules. A U.S. Holder that does not
provide us with a correct taxpayer identification number may
also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. A
U.S. Holder may obtain a credit for or, to the extent
entitled, a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules, provided the appropriate documentation is
provided to the IRS. In addition, we may be required to withhold
a portion of any capital gain dividends we make to any
U.S. Holders who fail to certify their non-foreign status
to us.
Tax-Exempt Stockholders. Most tax-exempt
organizations are not subject to federal income tax except to
the extent of their unrelated business taxable income, which is
often referred to as UBTI. Unless a tax-exempt stockholder holds
our stock as debt financed property or uses our stock in an
unrelated trade or business, distributions to the stockholder
should not constitute UBTI. Similarly, if a tax-exempt
stockholder sells our stock, the income from the sale should not
constitute UBTI unless the stockholder held the shares as debt
financed property or used the shares in a trade or business.
However, for tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs,
voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental
unemployment benefit trusts and qualified group legal services
plans exempt from federal income taxation under
section 50l(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) or (c)(20) of the Code,
respectively, income from an investment in our stock will
constitute UBTI unless the organization properly sets aside or
reserves those amounts for purposes specified in the Code. These
tax-exempt stockholders are encouraged to consult their tax
advisers concerning these “set aside” and reserve
requirements.
A qualified trust that holds more than 10% by value of the
shares of a “pension-held REIT” may be required to
treat a certain percentage of that REIT’s distributions as
UBTI. A REIT is a “pension-held REIT” only if the REIT
would not qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes but
for the application of a “look-through” exception to
the five-or-fewer requirement applicable to shares held by
qualified trusts and the REIT is “predominantly held”
by qualified trusts. A REIT is predominantly held by qualified
trusts if either at least one qualified trust holds more than
25% by value of the REIT interests, or qualified trusts, each
owning more than 10% by value of the REIT interests, hold in the
aggregate more than 50% of the REIT interests. The percentage of
any REIT dividend treated as UBTI is equal to the ratio of
(a) the UBTI earned by the REIT, treating the REIT as if it
were a qualified trust and therefore subject to tax on UBTI, to
(b) the total gross income, less certain associated
expenses, of the REIT. If this ratio is less than 5% for any
year, the qualified trust will not be treated as having received
UBTI as a result of the REIT dividend. For these purposes, a
qualified trust is any trust described in section 401(a) of
the Code and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of the
Code. The restrictions on ownership of stock in our charter
generally will prevent
46
application of the provisions treating a portion of our
distributions as UBTI to a tax-exempt entity holding our stock.
Non-U.S.
Holders
The rules governing the U.S. federal income taxation of a
Non-U.S. Holder
of our stock or other securities are complex. The following
discussion is only a summary of those rules. A
Non-U.S. Holder
refers to a beneficial owner of our stock or other securities
that is a nonresident alien individual, foreign corporation,
foreign trust or foreign estate. For purposes of this
discussion, “U.S. trade or business income” of a
Non-U.S. Holder
generally means a dividend, a capital gain dividend, a retained
net capital gain or a gain on a sale or other taxable
disposition of our stock if that dividend, capital gain
dividend, retained net capital gain or gain is
(i) effectively connected with trade or business conducted
by the
Non-U.S. Holder
within the United States and (ii) in most cases of a
resident of a country with which the United States has an income
tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed
base of the
Non-U.S. Holder
in the United States. A prospective
Non-U.S. Holder
should consult his own tax adviser to determine the effects of
federal, state, local and foreign tax laws of an investment in
our shares, including any reporting requirements.
Taxation of Dividends. Distributions to a
Non-U.S. Holder
of our common or preferred stock that are not attributable to
gain from our sale or exchange of a United States real property
interest and that we do not designate as capital gain dividends
or retained net capital gain will be treated as ordinary
dividend income to the extent that they are paid out of our
current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. Those distributions
generally will be subject to a withholding tax equal to 30% of
the gross amount of the distribution unless an applicable tax
treaty reduces that tax. Certain tax treaties limit the extent
to which dividends paid by a REIT can qualify for a reduction of
the withholding tax on dividends. If a dividend is
U.S. trade or business income, the
Non-U.S. Holder
generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at
graduated rates in the same manner as a U.S. Holder would
be taxed with respect to that dividend, and a
Non-U.S. Holder
that is a corporation may also be subject to the branch profits
tax at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). We expect to
withhold tax at the rate of 30% of the gross amount of any
distributions we make to a
Non-U.S. Holder
with respect to our stock unless:
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a lower treaty rate applies, and the
Non-U.S. Holder
files with us an IRS
Form W-8BEN
evidencing eligibility for that reduced rate, or
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the
Non-U.S. Holder
files an IRS
Form W-8ECI
with us claiming that the distribution is U.S. trade or
business income.
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Any distribution we make that exceeds our current and
accumulated earnings and profits will be treated first as a
tax-free return of capital, reducing the
Non-U.S. Holder’s
tax basis in our stock to the extent thereof, and thereafter as
gain recognized as if the
Non-U.S. Holder
sold our stock. Any amount treated as gain recognized on a sale
of our stock will be subject to U.S. federal income tax if
the
Non-U.S. Holder
would be subject to tax on an actual sale of our stock, as
discussed below. Because we generally cannot determine at the
time we make a distribution whether the distribution will exceed
our current and accumulated earnings and profits, we normally
will withhold tax on the entire amount of a distribution at the
same rate we would withhold on a dividend. However, amounts so
withheld are creditable against the
Non-U.S. Holder’s
U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or are
refundable by the IRS to the extent the
Non-U.S. Holder
has overpaid its U.S. federal income tax liability. We are
also required to withhold 10% of any distribution in excess of
our current and accumulated earnings and profits if our stock is
a United States real properly interest. As discussed below, our
stock would be a United States real property interest if we are
not a domestically-controlled REIT and if our stock is not
regularly traded on an established securities market (or, even
if it is so regularly traded, stock held by a stockholder that
owns, or has owned at any time during the five-year period
ending on the date of disposition, more than 5% of our stock
would be a United States real property interest). We believe
that our stock is regularly traded on an established securities
market, in which case our stock held by a stockholder that has
not owned more than 5% of our stock at any time during the
five-year period ending on the date of disposition would not be
a United States real property interest. In addition, we believe
that we should be a domestically-controlled REIT, in which case
our stock would not be
47
a United States real property interest, although no assurance
can be given that we will not become, or that we are not now, a
non-domestically-controlled REIT. Although we intend to withhold
at a rate of 30% on the entire amount of any distribution we pay
to
Non-U.S. Holders,
to the extent we do not do so, we may withhold at a rate of 10%
on any portion of a distribution not subject to withholding at a
rate of 30%.
After the taxable year ending December 31, 2005, any
distribution we make that is attributable to gain from our sale
or exchange of a United States real property interest, that we
do not designate as a capital gain dividend and that we make
with respect to any class of stock that is “regularly
traded” on an established securities market to a
Non-U.S. Holder
that did not own more than 5% of that class of stock at any time
during the one-year period ending on the date of the
distribution, is treated as an ordinary dividend subject to
withholding at a rate of 30% (or any lower applicable tax treaty
rate). Those dividends generally will not be required to be
reported on a U.S. federal income tax return by the
recipients thereof and will not be subject to the branch profits
tax in the hands of corporate U.S. Holders.
In taxable years prior to the taxable year ending
December 31, 2005, distributions attributable to gain from
our sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests were
taxable to
Non-U.S. Holders
under the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property
Tax Act of 1980, as amended, known as “FIRPTA”. Under
FIRPTA, those distributions were taxed to a
Non-U.S. Holder
as if the gains were U.S. trade or business income. Thus,
Non-U.S. Holders
were taxed on those distributions at the same capital gain rates
applicable to U.S. Holders (subject to any applicable
alternative minimum tax and special alternative minimum tax in
the case of nonresident alien individuals), without regard to
whether we designated the distributions as capital gain
dividends. Distributions subject to FIRPTA were also subject to
the 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a corporate
Non-U.S. Holder
unless the
Non-U.S. Holder
was entitled to treaty relief or another exemption. Treasury
regulations under FIRPTA required us to withhold 35% of any
distribution that we could designate as a capital gain dividend.
In addition, although the law was not entirely clear on the
matter, it appeared that amounts we designated as undistributed
capital gains in respect of our stock were treated in the same
manner as actual distributions of dividends. Under that
approach,
Non-U.S. Holders
would be able to offset as a credit against their
U.S. federal income tax liability their proportionate
shares of the tax we paid on these undistributed capital gains.
In addition, a
Non-U.S. Holder
would be able to receive a refund from the IRS to the extent his
proportionate share of the tax we paid exceeded their actual
federal income tax liability.
Sales of Our Stock by a
Non-U.S. Holder. Gain
recognized by a
Non-U.S. Holder
upon a sale of our stock generally will not be subject to
U.S. federal income tax under FIRPTA if we are a
domestically-controlled REIT. A domestically-controlled REIT is
a REIT in which at all times during the five-year period ending
on the date of disposition less than 50% in value of the stock
was held directly or indirectly by
Non-U.S. Holders.
We believe that we should be a domestically-controlled REIT and
that, therefore, gain that a
Non-U.S. Holder
recognizes on a sale or other taxable disposition of our stock
would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, although
we cannot provide any assurance to that effect. Because our
stock is publicly traded, we cannot assure our investors that we
are or will remain a domestically-controlled REIT. Even if we
are not a domestically-controlled REIT, however, a
Non-U.S. Holder
that does not own, actually and constructively, more than 5% of
our stock at any time during the five-year period ending on the
date of disposition will not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax pursuant to FIRPTA on any gain recognized on a sale
or other taxable disposition of our stock if our stock is traded
on an established securities market, like the New York Stock
Exchange, where our stock is currently listed. Even if we are a
domestically-controlled REIT, upon disposition of our common
stock (subject to the 5% exception applicable to regularly
traded stock described above), a
Non-U.S.
Holder may be treated as having gain from the sale or exchange
of a U.S. real property interest if the
Non-U.S. Holder
(1) disposes of our common stock within a
30-day
period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any
portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been
treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a U.S. real
property interest and (2) acquires, or enters into a
contract or option to acquire, or is deemed to acquire, other
shares of our common stock within 30 days after that
ex-dividend date.
If gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of our
stock were subject to tax under FIRPTA, the
Non-U.S. Holder
generally would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on
that gain in the same manner as would a U.S. Holder.
48
A purchaser of our stock from a
Non-U.S. Holder
will not be required to withhold on the purchase price if our
stock is regularly traded on an established securities market or
if we are a domestically-controlled REIT. Otherwise, a purchaser
of our stock generally would be required to withhold 10% of the
purchase price and remit that amount to the IRS unless the
purchaser receives appropriate certification from the seller
that it is a U.S. Holder or that another exemption from
withholding applies. Our stock currently is traded on the
New York Stock Exchange. We believe that our stock is
regularly traded on an established securities market at this
time. In addition, we believe that we should be a
domestically-controlled REIT, although no assurance can be given
that we will not become, or that we are not now, a
non-domestically-controlled REIT.
Gain recognized by a
Non-U.S. Holder
on a sale or other taxable disposition of our stock which is not
subject to FIRPTA nevertheless will be subject to
U.S. federal income tax if:
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income from the
Non-U.S. Holder’s
investment in our stock is U.S. trade or business income,
in which case the
Non-U.S. Holder
will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that gain in
the same manner as would a U.S. Holder, subject to the
alternative minimum tax, a special alternative minimum tax in
the case of nonresident alien individuals, and the possible
application of the branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or lower
treaty rate) in the case of a
Non-U.S. Holder
that is a corporation, or
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the
Non-U.S. Holder
is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United
States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and
other conditions are met, in which case the nonresident alien
individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s
net U.S. source capital gain.
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U.S. Estate Tax. Upon the death of an
individual
Non-U.S. Holder,
that individual’s stock will be treated as part of his
U.S. estate for purposes of the U.S. estate tax,
except as an applicable estate tax treaty may provide otherwise.
Backup Withholding Tax and Information
Reporting. If the proceeds of a disposition of
our stock are paid by or through a U.S. office of a
broker-dealer, the payment is generally subject to information
reporting and backup withholding unless the disposing
Non-U.S. Holder
certifies as to his name, address and
non-U.S. status
or otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally,
U.S. information reporting and backup withholding will not
apply to a payment of disposition proceeds if the payment is
made outside the United States through a foreign office of
a foreign broker-dealer. If the proceeds from a disposition of
our stock are paid to or through a foreign office of a
U.S. broker-dealer or a
non-U.S. office
of a foreign broker-dealer that is
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a “controlled foreign corporation” for
U.S. federal income tax purposes,
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a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income from all
sources for a three-year period was effectively connected with
trade or business conducted by that person within the United
States,
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a foreign partnership with one or more partners who are
U.S. persons and who in the aggregate hold more than 50% of
the income or capital interest in the partnership, or
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a foreign partnership engaged in the conduct of trade or
business in the United States,
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(i) backup withholding will not apply unless the
broker-dealer has actual knowledge that the owner is a United
States person, and (ii) information reporting will not
apply if the
Non-U.S. Holder
satisfies certification requirements regarding its status as not
a United States person.
Taxation
of Holders of Securities Other Than Stock
In addition to issuing common and preferred stock, from time to
time we may issue other forms of securities, including notes and
warrants.
Interest payable on a note generally will be includible in the
income of a U.S. Holder in accordance with the
U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting for tax
purposes. If a note is redeemed, sold or otherwise
49
disposed of, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or
loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the
disposition of that note (to the extent that amount does not
represent accrued but unpaid interest, which will be treated as
ordinary income) and that holder’s tax basis in the note.
That gain or loss generally will be capital gain (except, for
example, to the extent attributable to any accrued market
discount) or capital loss, provided the U.S. Holder held
the note as a capital asset, and will be long-term capital gain
or loss if the Holder held the note for more than one year at
the time of the disposition. The character of income generated
with respect to an investment in notes issued by us is not
affected by our REIT status.
Subject to the possible imposition of
back-up
withholding, interest on a note paid to a
Non-U.S. Holder
will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax if
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the beneficial owner of the note does not actually or
constructively own 10% or more of our voting stock;
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the beneficial owner of the note is not a controlled foreign
corporation related to us through share ownership;
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the beneficial owner of the note is not a bank whose receipt of
interest on the note is described in section 881(c)(3)(A)
of the Code;
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and either the beneficial owner of the note certifies to us that
it is not a United States person and provides its name and
address, or a financial institution that holds customers’
securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business and
holds the note certifies to us that it or a financial
institution between it and the beneficial owner has received
that statement and furnishes us with a copy. The foregoing
exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax does not apply
to any note subject to the rules of section 871(h)(4)(A) of
the Code relating to interest payments that are determined by
reference to the income, profits, changes in the value of
property or other attributes of the debtor or a related party.
In general, a
Non-U.S. Holder
will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain
recognized on a sale, retirement or other taxable disposition of
a note. Interest on a note and gain recognized on a disposition
of a note, however, will be subject to U.S. federal income
tax if income from an investment in the note is treated as
U.S. trade or business income. In that case, the
Non-U.S. Holder
generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at
graduated rates in the same manner as a U.S. Holder is
taxed on that gain, and a
Non-U.S. Holder
that is a corporation may also be subject to the branch profits
tax at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). In addition, a
Non-U.S. Holder
that is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the
United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year
and who satisfies certain other conditions will be subject to a
30% tax on the individual’s net U.S. source
capital gain.
Generally, an investor in our warrants will not recognize gain
or loss on acquisition of our stock on exercise of a warrant.
Thereafter, as one of our stockholders, that investor will have
a basis in his stock equal to the sum of his basis in the
warrant plus any amount paid on exercise of the warrant.
Following exercise of a warrant, that investor will be taxed in
the same manner as other stockholders, as discussed above. If an
investor chooses to sell or otherwise dispose of a warrant prior
to exercising it, that investor generally will be treated in the
same manner as an investor in our stock, as discussed above.
The exact tax consequences of investing in any particular form
of note or warrant can vary significantly depending on the exact
terms of the security. The tax consequences of any particular
security we may decide to issue will be addressed in detail in a
prospectus supplement.
State and
Local Tax
We may be subject to state and local tax in various states and
localities. Our stockholders also may be subject to state and
local tax in various states and localities. The tax treatment to
us and to our stockholders in those jurisdictions may differ
from the U.S. federal income tax treatment described above.
Consequently, before you buy our shares, you should consult your
own tax adviser regarding the effect of state and local tax laws
on an investment in our shares.
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PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
We may sell securities to one or more underwriters or dealers
for public offering and sale by them, or we may sell the
securities to investors directly or through agents. The
applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the
offering and the method of distribution and will identify any
firms acting as underwriters, dealers or agents in connection
with the offering, including:
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the name or names of any underwriters;
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the purchase price of the securities;
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any underwriting discounts and other items constituting
underwriters’ compensation;
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any initial public offering price and the net proceeds we will
receive from such sale;
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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
dealers; and
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any securities exchange or market on which the securities
offered in the prospectus supplement may be listed.
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We may distribute our securities from time to time in one or
more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be
changed, or at prices determined as the prospectus supplement
specifies, including in “at-the-market” offerings. We
may sell our securities through a rights offering, forward
contracts or similar arrangements.
Any underwriting discounts or other compensation which we pay to
underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of our
securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions which
underwriters allow to dealers, will be set forth in the
prospectus supplement. Underwriters may sell our securities to
or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in
the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
underwriters and commissions from the purchasers for whom they
may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that
participate in the distribution of our securities may be deemed
to be underwriters under the Securities Act and any discounts or
commissions they receive from us and any profit on the resale of
our securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such
underwriter or agent will be identified, and any such
compensation received from us, will be described in the
applicable supplement to this prospectus. Unless otherwise set
forth in the supplement to this prospectus relating thereto, the
obligations of the underwriters or agents to purchase our
securities will be subject to conditions precedent and the
underwriters will be obligated to purchase all our offered
securities if any are purchased. The public offering price and
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
dealers may be changed from time to time.
Any common stock sold pursuant to this prospectus and applicable
prospectus supplement, will be approved for trading, upon notice
of issuance, on the New York Stock Exchange.
Underwriters and their controlling persons, dealers and agents
may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us to
indemnification against and contribution toward specific civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The securities being offered under this prospectus, other than
our common stock, will be new issues of securities with no
established trading market and unless otherwise specified in the
applicable prospectus supplement. It has not presently been
established whether the underwriters, if any, as identified in a
prospectus supplement, will make a market in the securities. If
the underwriters make a market in the securities, the market
making may be discontinued at any time without notice. We cannot
provide any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market
for the securities.
An underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing
transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in
accordance with securities laws. Over-allotment involves sales
in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position.
Stabilizing transactions permit bidders to purchase the
underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not
exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve
purchases of the securities in the open market after the
distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids
51
permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a
dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are
purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions.
Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be
higher than it would otherwise be. The underwriters may engage
in these activities on any exchange or other market in which the
securities may be traded. If commenced, the underwriters may
discontinue these activities at any time.
Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may be
customers of, engage in transactions with, and perform services
for, us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the
securities offered under this prospectus and any supplement
hereto, as well as certain tax matters, will be passed upon for
us by Greenberg Traurig, P.A., Miami, Florida 33131. Venable
LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, will pass upon certain matters of
Maryland law. Counsel for any underwriter or agents will be
noted in the applicable prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements appearing in our Annual
Report
(Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 2008 (including the
schedules appearing therein), and the effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2008 have been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set
forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and
incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial
statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon
such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements
and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any
document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference
room at 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C.
20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the public reference room. The SEC
maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and
information statements, and other information that we file
electronically with the SEC and which are available at the
SEC’s web site at:
http://www.sec.gov.
You can also inspect reports and other information we file at
the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad
Street, 17th Floor, New York, New York 10005.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we
filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains more
information than this prospectus regarding us and our common
stock, including certain exhibits. You can obtain a copy of the
registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above
or from the SEC’s web site listed above.
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” some
of the documents we file with it into this prospectus, which
means:
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we can disclose important information to you by referring you to
those documents;
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the information incorporated by reference is considered to be
part of this prospectus; and
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later information that we file with the SEC will automatically
update and supersede this information.
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We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:
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our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008;
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our Current Reports on
Form 8-K
filed on January 12, 2009, January 15, 2009 and
February 6, 2009 (not including any information furnished
under Items 2.02, 7.01 or 9.01 of
Form 8-K,
which information is not incorporated by reference herein); and
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the description of our common stock filed as part of our
Registration Statement (File
No. 001-13499)
on
Form 8-A
filed on October 15, 1997.
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In addition, all documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (not
including any information furnished under Item 2.02, 7.01
or 9.01 of
Form 8-K
and any other information that is identified as
“furnished” rather than filed, which information is
not incorporated by reference herein) prior to the termination
of the offering (including any such document filed by us prior
to the effectiveness of this registration statement), will be
deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to be a part
of this registration statement from the date of filing of such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated
herein by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a
statement contained herein, or in a subsequently filed document
incorporated herein by reference, modifies or supersedes the
statement. Any statement modified or superseded will not be
deemed, except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part
of this registration statement.
We will provide without charge to each person, including any
stockholder, to whom a prospectus is delivered, upon written or
oral request of that person, a copy of any and all of the
information that has been incorporated by reference in this
prospectus (excluding exhibits unless specifically incorporated
by reference into those documents). Please direct requests to us
at the following address:
Equity One,
Inc.
1600 N.E. Miami Gardens Drive
North Miami Beach, Florida 33179
Attention: Investor Relations
(305) 947-1664
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$
% Senior Notes due
Prospectus Supplement
December , 2009
BofA Merrill Lynch
J.P. Morgan
Wells Fargo Securities