Note 4 - Property Acquisitions, Developments and Other Investments (Detail) - Acquisition of Operating Properties (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Purchase Price - Cash	$ 455,280		$ 256,652
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed	179,198		117,912
Purchase Price - Total	634,478		374,564
GLA	3,086,000	[1]	2,488,000
Woodbridge S.C. [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	9,000
Purchase Price - Total	9,000
GLA	97,000	[1]
Bell Camino Center [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	4,185
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed	4,210
Purchase Price - Total	8,395
GLA	63,000	[1]
Various 31 Parcels [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	30,753	[2]
Purchase Price - Total	30,753	[2]
GLA	83,000	[1],[2]
Duncan, SC 1 Parcel [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	1,048	[3]
Purchase Price - Total	1,048	[3]
GLA	3,000	[1],[3]
Olympia West Outparcel [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	1,200
Purchase Price - Total	1,200
GLA	6,000	[1]
Frontier Village [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	12,231	[4]
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed	30,900	[4]
Purchase Price - Total	43,131	[4]
GLA	195,000	[1],[4]
Silverdale S.C. [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	8,335	[4]
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed	24,000	[4]
Purchase Price - Total	32,335	[4]
GLA	170,000	[1],[4]
Various 30 Parcels [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	39,493	[2]
Purchase Price - Total	39,493	[2]
GLA	107,000	[1],[2]
Peru, IL 1 Parcel [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	995	[3]
Purchase Price - Total	995	[3]
GLA	4,000	[1],[3]
Towson Place [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	69,375	[5]
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed	57,625	[5]
Purchase Price - Total	127,000	[5]
GLA	680,000	[1],[5]
Prien Lake Outparcel [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	1,800
Purchase Price - Total	1,800
GLA	8,000	[1]
Devon Village [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	28,550
Purchase Price - Total	28,550
GLA	79,000	[1]
Various, NC 4 Properties [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	63,750
Purchase Price - Total	63,750
GLA	368,000	[1]
Lake Jackson [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	5,500	[6]
Purchase Price - Total	5,500	[6]
GLA	35,000	[1],[6]
Woodlawn S.C. [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	7,050
Purchase Price - Total	7,050
GLA	137,000	[1]
Columbia Crossing - 2 Outparcels [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	11,060
Purchase Price - Total	11,060
GLA	69,000	[1]
Pompano Beach [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	12,180	[7]
Purchase Price - Total	12,180	[7]
GLA	81,000	[1],[7]
Various 6 Parcels [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	8,111	[2]
Purchase Price - Total	8,111	[2]
GLA	19,000	[1],[2]
Wilton S.C. [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	18,800
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed	20,900
Purchase Price - Total	39,700
GLA	96,000	[1]
Hawthorne Hills S. C. [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	15,974
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed	21,563
Purchase Price - Total	37,537
GLA	193,000	[1]
Greeley Shopping Center [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	23,250	[8]
Purchase Price - Total	23,250	[8]
GLA	139,000	[1],[8]
Savi Ranch Center Phase II [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	34,500
Purchase Price - Total	34,500
GLA	161,000	[1]
Wild Lake Plaza Outparcel [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	300
Purchase Price - Total	300
GLA	75,000	[1]
City Heights Retail Village [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	15,600
Purchase Price - Debt Assumed	20,000
Purchase Price - Total	35,600
GLA	109,000	[1]
Snowden Square [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	6,182	[9]
Purchase Price - Total	6,182	[9]
GLA	50,000	[1],[9]
“Key Food” Portfolio (5 Properties) [Member]
Purchase Price - Cash	26,058
Purchase Price - Total	$ 26,058
GLA	59,000	[1]

[1] Gross leasable area ("GLA")

[2] Acquired an aggregate of 67 parcels net leased to restaurants through a consolidated joint venture, in which the Company has a 99.1% controlling interest. During July 2012, the Company purchased the remaining 0.9% interest for $0.7 million.

[3] Acquired an aggregate of two parcels net leased to restaurants through a consolidated joint venture, in which the Company has a 92.0% controlling interest. During July 2012, the Company sold 4% of its interest for $0.1 million. The Company continues to have a controlling interest in the joint venture and therefore continues to consolidate this investment.

[4] These properties were acquired from a joint venture in which the Company has a 15% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated these transactions pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as such recognized an aggregate gain of $2.0 million from the fair value adjustment associated with its original ownership due to a change in control.

[5] This property was acquired from a joint venture in which the Company had a 30% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as such recognized a gain of $12.1 million from the fair value adjustment associated with its original ownership due to a change in control. In addition, the Company recognized promote income of $1.1 million in connection with this transaction. The promote income is included in Equity in income of joint ventures, net on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income. Additionally, the debt assumed in connection with this transaction of $57.6 million was repaid in May 2012.

[6] The Company acquired this property from a preferred equity investment in which the Company held a noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance. This transaction resulted in a change in control with no gain or loss recognized.

[7] This property was acquired from a joint venture in which the Company had a 50% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance. This transaction resulted in a change in control with no gain or loss recognized.

[8] This property was acquired from a joint venture in which the Company has an 11% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as such recognized a gain of $0.4 million from the fair value adjustment associated with its original ownership due to a change in control.

[9] This property was acquired from a joint venture in which the Company has a 50% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as such recognized a gain of $1.0 million from the fair value adjustment associated with its original ownership due to a change in control.