4. Common Shares

In November 2014, we created an at-the-market share offering program (the "ATM program") through which we can, but have no obligation to, sell common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $331.3 million, in amounts and at times as we determine, into the existing trading market at current market prices as well as through negotiated transactions. Actual sales from time to time may depend on a variety of factors including, among others, market conditions, the trading price of our common shares, and determinations by management of the appropriate sources of funding for us. We intend to use the net proceeds from any future sales under the ATM program for general corporate purposes, which may include reducing future borrowings under our unsecured credit facility, the repayment of other indebtedness, the redemption or other repurchase of outstanding debt or equity securities, funding for development, redevelopment and investment projects and financing for acquisitions. As of the date of this filing, we had common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $315.3 million remaining available for sale under the ATM program. There were no shares sold during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and no shares have been sold through the date of this filing under the ATM program.

The following table presents activity under our ATM program for the year ended December 31, 2014:



(in thousands, except per share amounts)	Year Ended December 31, 2014
Total net consideration	$	15,690.2
Common shares sold	209.7
Average price per share	$	76.28

In January 2008, our Board of Trust Managers approved a plan to allow for the repurchase of up to $500.0 million of our common equity securities through open market purchases, block purchases, and privately negotiated transactions. Under this program, we repurchased 4.3 million shares for a total of approximately $230.2 million from April 2007 through December 31, 2008 and there have not been any shares repurchased subsequent to that date. As of the date of this filing, the remaining dollar value of our common equity securities authorized to be repurchased under the program was approximately $269.8 million.

We currently have an automatic shelf registration statement which allows us to offer, from time to time, common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, or warrants. Our Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust provides we may issue up to 185 million shares of beneficial interest, consisting of 175 million common shares and 10 million preferred shares. At December 31, 2016, we had approximately 87.5 million common shares outstanding, net of treasury shares and shares held in our deferred compensation arrangements, and no preferred shares outstanding.

In addition to our quarterly dividends, our Board of Trust Managers declared a special dividend of $4.25 per common share to our common shareholders of record as of September 23, 2016, consisting of gains on dispositions of assets completed in 2016, which was paid on September 30, 2016. We also paid equivalent amounts per unit to holders of the common operating partnership units.