5. Common Shares

In May 2017, we created an at-the market ("ATM") share offering program through which we can, but have no obligation to, sell common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $315.3 million (the "2017 ATM program"), 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. The proceeds from the sale of our common shares under the 2017 ATM program are intended to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include reducing future borrowings under our unsecured line of credit or short-term borrowing facilities, the repayment of other indebtedness, the redemption or other repurchase of outstanding debt or equity securities, funding for development activities, and financing for acquisitions.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we did not sell any shares under the 2017 ATM program. The following table presents activity under the 2017 ATM program for the year ended December 31, 2017:



(in thousands, except per share amounts)	Year Ended December 31, 2017
Total net consideration	$	2,513.6
Common shares sold	28.1
Average price per share	$	90.44

As of the date of this filing, we had common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $312.8 million remaining available for sale under the 2017 ATM program. No additional shares were sold under the 2017 ATM program subsequent to December 31, 2018 through the date of this filing.

We have a repurchase plan approved by our Board of Trust Managers which allows for the repurchase of up to $500 million of our common equity securities through open market purchases, block purchases, and privately negotiated transactions. In 2018, we repurchased 3,222 common shares for approximately $0.3 million. 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 $269.5 million. There were no repurchases for the years ended December 31, 2017 or 2016 under this program, or subsequent to December 31, 2018 through the date of this filing.

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, 2018, we had approximately 93.2 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 2016 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.