sv3
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 1, 2005
Registration No. 333-____
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES TRUST, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Maryland
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20-0611663 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
incorporation or organization) |
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13625 California Street, Suite 310
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
(402) 391-0010
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
code, of registrants principal executive offices)
Thomas D. Peschio
President and Chief Executive Officer
13625 Calfifornia Street, Suite 310
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
(402) 391-0010
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
James C. Creigh
Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP
1620 Dodge Street, Suite 2100
Omaha, NE 68102
Tel : (402) 964-5000
Fax : (402) 964-5050
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time or at
one time after the effective date of this registration statement as the registrant shall determine.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: o
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities
offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:
þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering: o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities
Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: o
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the
following box. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed maximum aggregate |
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Title of each class of securities to be registered |
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offering price(1) |
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Amount of registration fee |
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Common stock (2) |
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Preferred stock (3) |
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Total |
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$200,000,000 |
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$23,540(4) |
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(1) |
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In no event will the maximum aggregate offering price of all securities issued pursuant to
this registration statement exceed $200,000,000. |
(2) |
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Subject to footnote 1, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of shares
of common stock as may be sold from time to time by the registrant. There is also being
registered hereunder an indeterminate number of shares of common stock as shall be issuable
upon conversion of the shares of preferred stock registered hereby. |
(3) |
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Subject to footnote 1, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of shares
of preferred stock as may be sold from time to time by the registrant. |
(4) |
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Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933. |
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in
accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this registration statement
shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to
said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these
securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is
effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting an
offer to buy these securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject To Completion
Preliminary Prospectus, Dated November 1, 2005
PROSPECTUS
$200,000,000
GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES TRUST, INC.
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Through this prospectus, we may offer, from time to time, shares of:
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our preferred stock; |
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our common stock; or |
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a combination of the foregoing. |
We may offer these securities in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or
more prospectus supplements. We may sell these securities to or through underwriters, dealers or
agents, or we may sell these securities directly to investors on our own behalf. You should read
this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you decide to invest. This
prospectus may not be used unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GPT.
To ensure we qualify as a REIT, no person may own more than 9.8% of the outstanding shares of
any class of our preferred stock or common stock, unless our board of directors waives this
limitation.
See
Risk Factors beginning on page 2 of this prospectus for a description of risks that you
should consider when deciding whether to invest in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The
date of this prospectus is November 1, 2005
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include
estimates regarding:
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the adequacy of our available capital for future acquisition requirements; |
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our capital expenditures; |
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the impact of changes in interest rates; |
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the impact on changes in government regulation and related litigation; |
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our growth intentions; |
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our financing strategy; |
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our acquisition strategy and objectives; |
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our risk mitigation strategy; |
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our policy to reserve for operating expenses and capital costs; |
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our distribution policy; and |
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our operating expenses. |
Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as may, will,
should, expects, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, intends,
continue, or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking
statements also include the assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing statements.
Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements as a result of various factors, including the risks discussed in Risk Factors and
elsewhere in this report.
All forward-looking statements included in this prospectus are based on information available
to us on the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
1
GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES TRUST
We invest primarily in single tenant properties under long-term leases to the U.S. government,
state governments, local governments and government-sponsored enterprises. We are a self-managed,
self-administered company that has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT,
under the federal tax laws. Currently, our properties are mostly leased to the U.S. government. We
believe that we are the only public company focused solely on investing in government-leased
properties.
Our business consists of buying and managing recently built or renovated office properties
primarily leased to the federal government, acting through the General Services Administration
(GSA), the federal governments property management arm, under long-term leases. We target
tenants that provide essential services such as:
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The Social Security Administration |
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The Justice Department |
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The Food and Drug Administration |
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The Drug enforcement Administration |
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The Bureau of Public Debt |
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The Department of Agriculture |
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The Internal Revenue Service |
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation |
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The Veterans Administration |
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The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. |
We own each of our properties through separate wholly-owned entities. We intend to expand
our portfolio by acquiring additional government-leased properties.
The credit worthiness of our governmental tenants drives our leverage policy. Our goal is to
use debt to finance, on average, approximately 75% of the acquisition cost of the properties that
we buy. We intend to finance our future acquisitions with a combination of cash, common stock,
long-term fixed-rate debt and short-term credit lines. We intend to use our credit lines to finance
acquisitions and deposits on a short-term basis. Our objective is to finance each property with
long-term fixed-rate debt whose maturity matches or exceeds, to the extent possible, the remaining
term of the lease. This strategy minimizes interest rate risk and should result in more consistent
and reliable cash flow.
RISK FACTORS
Our company involves risks. You should carefully consider the following risks before making
an investment decision. If any of these risks occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity
and results of operations could be seriously harmed, in which case the price of our securities
could decline and you could lose all or a part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business and Properties
The pace of our property acquisitions to date has resulted in cash flow that is insufficient to
cover dividends at their current level.
We acquired eight properties for $123.2 million in 2004 and four properties for $148.3 million
in the first half of 2005. Net income from the properties we own has been significantly less than
the dividends we have paid to date. To continue to pay dividends at their current level, the
Company will be required to use some of the equity capital it raised in its initial public offering
for at least the remainder of 2005.
The closings of our property acquisitions are subject to conditions that may prevent us from
acquiring such properties.
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Our ability to complete acquisitions depends upon many factors, such as the negotiation of
definitive purchase agreements, the satisfactory results from the due diligence work, completion of
construction, and satisfaction of customary closing conditions. We have abandoned several
prospective purchases due to the failure of one or more of these circumstances. The inability to
complete future acquisitions within our anticipated time frames may harm our financial results and
undercut our ability to pay dividends at their current level.
Our use of debt financing could decrease our cash flow and expose us to risk of default under
our debt documents.
Our policy is to use debt to finance, on average, approximately 75% of the acquisition cost of
the properties that we buy. As of June 30, 2005, we had approximately $185.9 million of outstanding
indebtedness representing 60% of the acquisition cost of properties we owned as of that date.
Since we anticipate that our cash flow from operations will be insufficient to repay all of
our indebtedness prior to maturity, we expect that we will have to repay debt through refinancing,
sale of properties or sale of additional equity. If we are unable to refinance our indebtedness on
acceptable terms, or at all, we might be forced to dispose of one or more of our properties on
unfavorable terms, which might result in losses to us and which might adversely affect our cash
available for distribution to our stockholders. If prevailing interest rates or other factors at
the time of a refinancing result in higher interest rates on such refinancing, our interest expense
would increase, which could seriously harm our operating results and financial condition and our
ability to pay dividends.
Our debt and any increase in our debt may be detrimental to our business and financial results
by:
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requiring us to use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to pay interest, which
reduces the amount available for the operation of our properties or the payment of dividends; |
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imposing restrictive covenants in our loan documents, which would entitle the lenders to
accelerate our debt obligations and foreclose on our properties, if materially violated; |
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placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors who may have less debt; |
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making us more vulnerable to economic and industry downturns and reducing our flexibility in
responding to changing business and economic conditions; |
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requiring us to sell one or more properties, possibly on unfavorable terms; and |
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limiting our ability in the future to borrow funds for operations and to finance property
acquisitions and to refinance our indebtedness at maturity on acceptable terms. |
Our ability to obtain debt financing could be impaired or delayed due to underwriting
restrictions applicable to the type of properties we acquire.
Our policy is to obtain debt financing related to properties we buy. Because of the single
tenant nature of the properties we acquire, mortgage underwriters take certain additional
precautions intended to assure that the remaining mortgage balance is paid at the end of the loan
term. Also, for mortgages that have an amortization schedule longer than the lease term, due to the
high initial per square foot cost of the property being acquired, mortgage lenders consider the
high per square foot remaining principal balance at the end of the mortgage term as a negative with
regard to the potential approval of the loan. These and
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other similar negative factors associated with our properties may make it more difficult and
more expensive for us to finance or refinance our properties compared to other types of commercial
real estate.
Because our principal tenant is the U.S. government, our properties may have a higher risk of
terrorist attack than similar properties leased to non-governmental tenants.
Because our principal tenant is the U.S. government, our properties may have a higher risk of
terrorist attack than similar properties that are leased to non-governmental tenants. Some of our
properties could be considered high profile targets because of the particular government tenant
(e.g., the FBI). Certain losses resulting from terrorist attacks may be uninsurable. Additional
terrorism insurance may not be available at a reasonable price or at all.
We depend on the U.S. government for most of our revenues. Any failure by the U.S. government
to perform its obligations or renew its leases upon expiration may harm our cash flow and
ability to pay dividends.
Rent from the U.S. government represented 97% of our revenues for the first half of 2005 and
100% for the year ended December 31, 2004. In addition, the U.S. government leased 93% of our
total leased square feet of property not held for sale as of June 30, 2005. Any default by the U.S.
government, or its failure to renew its leases with us upon their expiration, could cause
interruptions in the receipt of lease revenue or result in vacancies, or both, which would reduce
our revenue until the affected property is leased, and could decrease the ultimate value of the
affected property upon sale. Further, failure on the part of a tenant to comply with the terms of a
lease may cause us to find another tenant. We cannot assure you that we would be able to find
another tenant without incurring substantial costs, or that if another tenant were found we would
be able to enter into a new lease on favorable terms.
An increase in the operating costs of our government-leased properties would harm our cash flow
and ability to pay dividends.
Leased properties in which the tenant is wholly responsible for any increases in operating
costs that apply to the property are not typical of the leases entered into through the GSA, the
principal leasing agency of the federal government. Under present practice, most GSA leases only
cover increases in real estate taxes above a base amount and these GSA leases also increase that
portion of the rent applicable to other operating expenses by an agreed upon percentage based upon
the Consumer Price Index. Typically, operating expenses in these leases does not include insurance
cost. To the extent operating costs other than real estate taxes and insurance increase at a rate
greater than the specified percentage, our cash flow would be harmed and our ability to pay
dividends may be harmed.
If we are unable to lease properties that are partially or completely vacant, we may be required
to recognize an impairment loss with respect to the carrying values of these properties, which
may seriously harm our operating results and financial condition.
Any of our properties could become partially or completely vacant in the future. If we are
unable to re-lease these properties and generate sufficient cash flow to replace or exceed that
amount lost due to the vacancy, we will be required to recognize a financial loss as to that
property, which could harm our operating results and our ability to pay dividends.
Restrictive covenants in our loan documents may restrict our operating or acquisition
activities, which may harm our financial condition and operating results.
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The mortgages on our properties contain customary restrictive covenants, including provisions
that may limit the borrowing subsidiarys ability, without the prior consent of the lender, to
incur additional indebtedness, further mortgage or transfer the applicable property, purchase or
acquire additional property, discontinue insurance coverage, change the conduct of its business or
make loans or advances to, enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation with, or acquire
the business, assets or equity of, any third party. In addition, our future lines of credit or
loans may contain financial covenants, further restrictive covenants and other obligations. If we
materially breach such covenants or obligations in our debt agreements, the lender can legally
declare a default and may require us to repay the debt immediately and can foreclose on property
securing the loan. We may then have to sell properties either at a loss or at a time that prevents
us from achieving a higher price. Any failure to pay our indebtedness when due or failure to cure
events of default could result in higher interest rates during the period of the loan default and
could ultimately result in the loss of properties through foreclosure.
Increasing competition for the acquisition of government-leased properties may impede our
ability to make future acquisitions or may increase the cost of these acquisitions.
We compete with many other entities for the acquisition of government-leased properties. Our
competitors include financial institutions, institutional pension funds, other REITs, other public
and private real estate companies and private real estate investors. These competitors may prevent
us from acquiring desirable properties or increase the price we must pay for properties. Our
competitors may have greater resources than we do and may be willing to pay more for similar
property. In addition, the number of entities and the amount of funds competing for
government-leased properties may increase in the future, resulting in increased demand and
increased prices paid for these properties. If we are forced to pay higher prices for properties,
our profitability may decrease and our stockholders may experience a lower return on their
investment.
We may have limited time to perform due diligence on many potential property acquisitions, which
could result in the loss of acquisition opportunities.
When we enter into an agreement to acquire a property we often have limited time to complete
our due diligence prior to acquiring the property. Pursuant to Company policy if we cannot complete
our full due diligence review process within the time allotted, we will decline to proceed with an
attempt to acquire the property. Accordingly, we may lose property acquisitions due to lack of
sufficient time to complete our due diligence.
Our cash flow is not assured. We may not pay dividends in the future.
Our ability to pay dividends may be adversely affected by the risks described herein. We
cannot assure you that we will be able to pay dividends in the future.
We also cannot assure you that the level of our dividends will increase over time or the
receipt of income from additional property acquisitions will necessarily increase our cash
available for distribution to stockholders. Any failure to make expected cash dividend
distributions will likely result in a decrease in the market price of our stock.
Our board of directors may alter our investment policies at any time without stockholder
approval.
Our board of directors may alter our investment policies at any time without stockholder
approval. Changes to these policies may adversely affect our financial performance and our ability
to maintain or pay dividends.
5
We have incurred historical losses and may incur future losses.
We have had historical accounting losses of $2.7 million and $0.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2004 and the six months ended June 30, 2005, respectively. As of June 30 2005, we had
an accumulated deficit of $23.0 million, of which $19.1 million was due to the payment of cash
dividends. We cannot assure you that we will not have similar losses in the future.
Risks Related to Our Organization and Structure
We depend on key personnel with long-standing business relationships, the loss of whom could
threaten our ability to operate our business successfully.
Our future success depends, to a significant extent, upon the continued services of Thomas D.
Peschio, our president and chief executive officer, and of the other members of our management
team. In particular, the relationships that Mr. Peschio and the other members of our management
team have developed with owners and developers of government-leased properties are critically
important to the success of our business. Although we have an employment agreement with Mr.
Peschio, we cannot assure you that he and the other key acquisition personnel will remain employed
with us. We do not maintain key person life insurance on any of our officers.
A majority of the voting power over our shares is currently concentrated in a relatively small
number of unrelated investment managers
Our stockholder records show that less than 10 investment managers, who have been granted the
right by their respective clients to vote our shares, control a majority of our stock. Accordingly,
this relatively small number of unrelated investment managers could, if acting in concert based on
a common interest or concern, vote a majority of the Companys shares to achieve a common
objective. This result could be harmful to the Company and its other stockholders.
Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of additional shares that may cause dilution.
In connection with future equity offerings, as well as stock grants pursuant to the Companys
2003 Equity Incentive Plan, the board of directors may authorize the issuance of additional shares
of common stock. The issuance of additional shares could cause either immediately or at a later
date a dilution with per share value to our existing stockholders.
Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of shares with differing dividend rights that
could harm our stockholders right to receive dividends.
Our board of directors has the power to issue preferred stock or other securities that have
distribution rights senior to that of the common stock. Any superior dividend rights could prevent
us from paying dividends to the holders of our common stock.
Our rights and the rights of our stockholders to take action against directors and officers are
limited.
Maryland law provides that a director has no liability in that capacity if he or she performs
his or her duties in good faith, in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in our best
interests and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under
similar circumstances. Our governing documents obligate us to indemnify our directors and permit us
to to indemnify our officers for actions taken by them in those capacities to the extent permitted
by Maryland law which applies broadly. Additionally, we may be obligated to fund the defense costs
incurred by our directors and officers.
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Finally, our governing documents limit the liability of our directors and officers for money
damages, except for liability resulting from:
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actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services; or |
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a final judgment based upon a finding of active and deliberate dishonesty by the director,
trustee or officer that was material to the cause of action adjudicated. |
As a result, we and our stockholders have more limited rights against our directors and
officers than might otherwise exist without these conditions.
Our ownership limitations may restrict business combination opportunities.
To preserve our REIT status, our charter generally prohibits direct or indirect ownership
through affiliates by any person of more than 9.8% of the number or value of outstanding shares of
any class of our securities, including our common stock. Any transfer of our common stock that
would disqualify our REIT status will be null and void, and the intended transferee will acquire no
rights in such stock. These ownership limitations could have the effect of delaying, deterring or
preventing a change in control or other transaction in which holders of common stock might receive
a premium for their common stock over the then current market price or which such holders might
believe to be otherwise in their best interest. Further, shares that are transferred in excess of
the 9.8% ownership limit will be designated as excess shares subject to redemption. The ownership
limitation provisions also may make our common stock an unsuitable investment vehicle for any
person seeking to obtain, either alone or with others as a group, ownership of more than 9.8% of
the number or value of outstanding shares of any class of our securities.
Maryland law grants broad authority to our board to reject any outside proposal involving a
change in control.
Maryland law provides broad discretion to our board of directors with respect to its duties in
considering a change in control of our company, including that a board is subject to no greater
level of scrutiny in considering a change in control transaction than with respect to any other
action within its authority that it considers.
Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have employment agreements that provide
them with benefits in the event their employment is terminated, which could prevent or deter a
potential acquirer from pursuing a change of control of our company.
We have entered into employment agreements with Thomas D. Peschio, our president and chief
executive officer, and Nancy D. Olson, our treasurer and chief financial officer, which provide
them with severance benefits if their employment ends due to a termination by us without cause. In
the case of such termination, we would have to pay severance and the vesting of their restricted
stock will accelerate. Mr. Peschio also has the right to terminate his employment agreement upon a
change of control of our Company and receive severance benefits. These agreements could prevent or
deter a change of control of our Company that might involve a premium price for our common stock or
otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.
Risks Related to the Real Estate Industry
Mortgage debt obligations expose us to increased risk of property losses, which could harm our
financial condition, cash flow and ability to satisfy our other debt obligations and pay
dividends.
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Incurring mortgage debt increases our risk of property losses because defaults on indebtedness
secured by properties may result in our loss of the property securing any loan for which we are in
default. For tax purposes, a foreclosure is treated as a sale of the property for a purchase price
equal to the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage. The outstanding balance of
the debt secured by the mortgage could exceed our tax basis in the property, which would cause us
to recognize taxable income on foreclosure, without receiving corresponding cash proceeds. As a
result, we may be required to utilize other sources of cash to pay our taxes, which may result in a
decrease in cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
In addition, our default under any one of our mortgage debt obligations may increase the risk
of our default on our other indebtedness. If this occurs, our financial condition, cash flow and
ability to satisfy our other debt obligations or ability to pay dividends may be harmed.
Illiquidity of real estate investments could significantly impede our ability to respond to
adverse changes in the performance of our properties and harm our financial condition.
Because real estate investments are relatively illiquid, our ability to promptly sell one or
more properties in our portfolio in response to changing economic, financial and investment
conditions is limited. The real estate market is affected by many factors that are beyond our
control, including:
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adverse changes in national and local economic and market conditions; |
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changes in interest rates and in the availability, cost and terms of debt financing; |
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changes in governmental laws and regulations, fiscal policies and zoning ordinances and
costs of compliance with laws and regulations, fiscal policies and ordinances; |
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the ongoing need for capital improvements, particularly in older structures; |
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changes in operating expenses; and |
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civil unrest, acts of war and natural disasters, including earthquakes and floods, which
may result in uninsured and underinsured losses. |
We cannot predict whether we will be able to sell any property for the price or on the terms
set by us, or whether any price or other terms offered by a prospective purchaser would be
acceptable to us. We also cannot predict the length of time needed to find a willing purchaser and
to close the sale of a property. These factors and any others that would impede our ability to
respond to adverse changes in the performance of our properties could harm our operating results
and financial condition, as well as our ability to pay dividends to stockholders.
Compliance with environmental laws could materially increase our operating expenses.
There may be environmental problems associated with our properties of which we are unaware. If
environmental contamination exists on our properties, we could become subject to strict liability
for the contamination. The presence of hazardous substances on a property may adversely affect our
ability to sell the property and we may incur substantial remediation costs. In addition, although
we may require in our leases that tenants operate in compliance with all applicable laws and to
indemnify us against any environmental liabilities arising from a tenants activities on the
property, we could nonetheless be subject to strict liability by virtue of our ownership interest,
and we cannot be sure that our tenants would satisfy
their indemnification obligations Such environmental liability exposure associated with our
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properties could harm our results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay
dividends to stockholders.
Our properties may contain or develop harmful mold, which could lead to liability for adverse
health effects and costs of remediating the problem.
The presence of significant mold at any of our properties could require us to undertake a
costly remediation program to contain or remove the mold from the affected property. In addition,
the presence of significant mold could expose us to liability from our tenants, employees of our
tenants and others if property damage for health concerns arise.
Compliance with the Americans with disabilities act and fire, safety and other regulations may
require us to make unexpected expenditures that adversely impact our ability to pay dividends.
Our properties may be required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, or the ADA.
Compliance with the ADA requirements could necessitate removal of access barriers and
non-compliance could result in imposition of fines by the U.S. government or an award of damages to
private litigants, or both. We could be required to expend our funds to comply with the provisions
of the ADA, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition and our
ability to make distributions to stockholders. In addition, we are required to operate our
properties in compliance with fire and safety regulations, building codes and other land use
regulations, as they may be adopted and become applicable to our properties. We may be required to
make substantial capital expenditures to comply with those requirements and which could harm our
ability to pay dividends.
An uninsured loss or a loss that exceeds the insurance policy limits on our properties could
subject us to lost capital or revenue on those properties.
Our comprehensive loss insurance policies may involve substantial deductibles and certain
exclusions and may not be fully in place to cover all conditions when a property is acquired. In
certain areas, we may have to obtain earthquake insurance on specific properties as required by our
lenders or by law. We have also obtained terrorism insurance on all of our GSA-leased properties,
but this insurance is subject to exclusions for loss or damage caused by nuclear substances,
pollutants, contaminants and biological and chemical weapons. Should a loss occur that is uninsured
or in an amount exceeding the combined aggregate limits for the policies noted above, or in the
event of a loss that is subject to a substantial deductible under an insurance policy, we could
lose all or part of our capital invested in, and anticipated revenue from, one or more of the
properties, which could harm our operations results and financial condition as well as our ability
to pay dividends.
Tax Risks of Our Business and Structure
An investment in our common stock has various tax risks that could affect the value of our
stockholders investment.
Special tax risks associated with owning stock in our Company include those associated with
the treatment of distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits to the
extent that they exceed the adjusted basis of an investors common stock, as long-term capital gain
(or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for less than one year); the treatment of
any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any year payable to a stockholder
of record on a specific date in any
such month as being paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year;
the treatment of any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares by a stockholder
who is not a dealer in securities as a long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held
for more than one year,
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otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss; the treatment of
distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends taxable to stockholders as gains (to the
extent that they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year) from the sale or
disposition of a capital asset held for greater than one year; and distributions we make and gains
arising from the sale or exchange by a stockholder of shares of our stock not qualifying to be
offset by passive losses.
Distribution requirements imposed by law limit our flexibility in executing our business plan.
As a REIT, we generally are required to distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our
taxable REIT income each year to maintain our status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.
Taxable REIT income is determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and by
excluding net capital gains. We are also required to pay tax at regular corporate rates to the
extent that we distribute less than 100% of our taxable income (including net capital gains) each
year. In addition, we are required to pay 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by
which certain distributions we pay with respect to any calendar year are less than the sum of 85%
of our ordinary income for that calendar year, 95% of our capital gain net income for the calendar
year and any amount of our income that was not distributed in prior years.
We may incur additional indebtedness to meet our distribution requirements. While we have not
borrowed for the specific purpose of paying distributions, our prior borrowings allowed us to
pay distributions from our cash flow from operations.
It is possible that the differences between the time we actually receive revenue or pay
expenses and the period we report those items for distribution purposes, and potentially
insufficient cash, could result in our having to borrow funds on a short-term basis to meet the 90%
distribution requirement to qualify for REIT tax status. While we have not borrowed for the
specific purpose of paying distributions, our prior borrowings allowed us to pay distributions from
our operations. These borrowings may decrease cash available for distribution.
Our disposal of properties may have negative implications, including unfavorable tax
consequences.
If we make a sale of a property directly, and it is deemed to be a sale of dealer property or
inventory, the sale may be deemed to be a prohibited transaction under the provisions of the
federal tax laws applicable to REITs, in which case our gain from the sale would be subject to a
100% penalty tax. If we believe that a sale of a property might be treated as a prohibited
transaction, we will attempt to structure a sale through a taxable REIT subsidiary, in which case
the gain from the sale would be subject to corporate income tax but not the 100% prohibited
transaction tax. We cannot assure you, however, that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would not
assert successfully that sales of properties that we make directly, rather than through a taxable
REIT subsidiary, were sales of dealer property or inventory, in which case the 100% penalty tax
would apply.
If we fail to remain qualified as a REIT, our dividends will not be deductible by us, and our
income will be subject to taxation.
If we fail to remain qualified as a REIT, our dividends will not be deductible by us and we
will be subject to a corporate level tax on our taxable income. This would substantially reduce our
cash available to pay dividends and the yield on your investment. Incurring corporate income tax
liability might cause us to borrow funds, liquidate some of our investments or take other steps
which could negatively affect our
operating results. If our REIT status is terminated because of our failure to meet a REIT
qualification requirement or if we voluntarily revoke our election, we would be disqualified from
electing treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which REIT status is
lost.
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We may be subject to federal income tax, state income, franchise and other local taxes that
would harm our financial condition.
Even if we maintain our status as a REIT, we may become subject to federal income taxes. For
example, if we have net income from a sale of dealer property or inventory, that income will be
subject to a 100% penalty tax. In addition, we may not be able to pay sufficient distributions to
avoid corporate income tax and the 4% excise tax on undistributed income.
We may also be subject to state and local taxes on our income or property, either directly or
at the level of our operating entities through which we indirectly own our properties that would
aversely affect our operating results. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain REIT
status, or that it will be in our best interests to continue to do so.
We may be subject to adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes that could reduce the market
price of our common stock.
The federal tax laws governing REITs and the administrative interpretations of those laws may
be amended at any time. Any of those new laws or interpretations may take effect retroactively. For
example, on May 28, 2003, President Bush signed into law legislation that could cause shares in
non-REIT corporations to be a more attractive investment to individual investors than they had
been, because of lower tax rates on their dividends as compared to the tax rate paid by
stockholders receiving REIT distributions. This and other tax legislation in the future could harm
the market price of our common stock.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as may otherwise be described in the prospectus supplement relating to an offering of
securities, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities included in this prospectus will be
used for general corporate purposes. 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 prospectus supplement.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown:
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For the Six Months |
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For the Year Ended December 31, |
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Ended June 30, 2005 |
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2004 |
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2003 |
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2002 |
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2001 |
Ratio of earnings to
fixed charges(1) |
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0.75x |
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0.64x |
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n/a |
(2) |
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(2) |
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The shortfall of earnings to fixed charges for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and for the
years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $946,891, $3,157,403 and $429,274, respectively. |
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The Company began formal operations in December 2002 and did not incur fixed charges in 2002
or 2001. |
The ratios of earnings to fixed charges were computed by dividing earnings by fixed
charges. For this purpose, earnings consist of net income from continuing operations plus fixed
charges less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, capitalized interest
and amortization of deferred financing fees. To date, we have not issued any preferred stock.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following is a summary of our capital stock. Copies of our charter and bylaws are filed as
exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We recommend that you
review these documents. See Where You Can Find More Information.
General
Our charter provides that we may issue up to 50,000,000 shares of stock, all of which are
initially classified as common stock. Our board of directors has the power to issue additional
shares of stock and to classify or reclassify unissued common stock and thereafter to issue the
classified shares without stockholder approval, unless stockholder approval is required by
applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our
securities may be listed or traded.
Generally, under Maryland law no stockholder shall be personally liable for any of our
obligations solely as a result of that stockholders status as a stockholder.
Voting Rights of Common Stock
Each outstanding share of our common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. The holders of common
stock possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of
directors.
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Under Maryland law, a corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell
all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange unless the
transaction is declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of
stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter. Our charter
provides, however, that, notwithstanding any provisions of Maryland law requiring that any action
be taken or authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of a designated proportion greater
than a majority of the shares or votes entitled to be cast, such action shall be effective and
valid if taken or authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total
number of shares outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. Our charter does provide that the
affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of our shares outstanding and entitled
to vote generally for the election directors are required in order for any director to be removed
from office.
Dividends, Liquidation and Other Rights
All shares of common stock offered by this prospectus will be duly authorized, fully paid and
nonassessable. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when authorized by our
board of directors out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends. They also are
entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in
the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of or adequate provision for
all of our known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject to the preferential rights of any
other class or series of our shares (of which there are none at this time) and to the provisions of
our governing documents regarding restrictions on transfer of our shares.
Holders of our common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption
or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. Subject
to the restrictions on transfer of shares contained in our charter and to the ability of the board
of directors to create stock, including a separate class or classes of common stock with differing
voting rights, preferences and other rights, all shares of our common stock have equal dividend,
liquidation and other rights.
Preferred Stock
We may issue preferred stock in one or more classes or series with any rights and preferences
which may be authorized by our board of directors. Because our board of directors has the power to
establish the preferences, powers and rights of each series of preferred stock, our board of
directors may afford the holders of any series of preferred stock preferences, powers and rights,
voting or otherwise, senior to the rights of the holders of our common stock.
To date, we have not issued any shares of preferred stock. Therefore, any preferred stock that
we sell pursuant to this prospectus will be a new class or series of preferred stock. The rights,
preferences, privileges and restrictions of each new class or series of preferred stock will be
fixed by the articles supplementary relating to such class or series. We will distribute a
prospectus supplement with regard to each class or series of preferred stock. The prospectus
supplement relating to each such class or series will specify the terms of the preferred stock, as
follows:
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the title and stated par value of the preferred stock; |
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the number of shares offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering
price per share of the preferred stock; |
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the dividend rate(s), period(s), payment date(s) and method(s) of calculation
applicable to |
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the preferred stock; |
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the date from which dividends on the preferred stock will accumulate, if applicable; |
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the voting rights, if applicable, of the preferred stock; |
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the provision for a sinking fund, if any, for the preferred stock; |
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the provision for or any restriction on redemption or repurchase, if applicable, of
the preferred stock; |
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any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange; |
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the terms and provisions, if any, upon which the preferred stock will be convertible
into common stock, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation) and
conversion period; |
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the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights
and rights upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs; |
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any limitation on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior
to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights
upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs; |
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any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer of
the preferred stock, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve our status as a
REIT; and |
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any other specific terms, preference rights, limitations or restrictions of the
preferred stock. |
Power To Classify Or Reclassify Shares
Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of
our stock into other classes or series of classes of stock and to establish the number of shares in
each class or series and to set the preference, conversion and other rights, voting powers,
restrictions as to dividends, qualification and terms and conditions of redemption of those shares.
A majority of our board of directors, without action by any of the 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 that we have authority to issue.
Restrictions On Ownership And Transfer
In order to qualify as a REIT under the federal tax laws, our shares must be beneficially
owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than
the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of
a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares may be
owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the federal tax laws to
include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for
which an election to be a REIT has been made).
Because our board of directors believes that it is at present essential for us to qualify as a
REIT, the charter, subject to certain exceptions, contains restrictions on the number of our shares
that a person may own. Our charter prohibits any person from acquiring or holding, directly or
indirectly, shares of our
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common stock in excess of 9.8% in the aggregate of our outstanding stock, in number of shares
or value. We refer to this restriction as the ownership limit. Our charter further prohibits any
person who owns an interest that is greater than 9.9% in the aggregate in any of our tenants from
owning greater than 9.9% by value of our outstanding common stock. We refer to this restriction as
the related tenant limit. A person or entity that becomes subject to the ownership limit or the
related tenant limit by virtue of a violative transfer that results in a transfer to a trust, as
set forth below, is referred to as a purported beneficial transferee if, had the violative
transfer been effective, the person or entity would have been a record owner and beneficial owner
or solely a beneficial owner of our common stock, or is referred to as a purported record
transferee if, had the violative transfer been effective, the person or entity would have been
solely a record owner of our stock.
The constructive ownership rules under the federal tax laws are complex and may cause stock
owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned
constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of our
stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, our
common stock) by an individual or entity, could, nevertheless cause that individual or entity, or
another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of 9.8% of our outstanding common
stock and thereby subject the stock to the applicable ownership limit.
Our board of directors may, in its sole discretion and on terms and conditions it deems
necessary, waive the ownership limit with respect to a particular stockholder if it receives a
ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel to the effect that such waiver will not result in our
being classified as a closely held corporation within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the
Internal Revenue Code (the Code).
In connection with the waiver of the ownership limit or at any other time, our board of
directors may increase or decrease the ownership limit; provided, however, that any decrease may
only be made prospectively as to subsequent holders, unless such decrease is immediately necessary
in order to maintain our REIT status. Additionally, the new ownership limit may not allow five or
fewer stockholders to beneficially own more than 49.9% in value of our outstanding stock and may
not be increased to a percentage which is greater than 9.9%.
Our charter further prohibits:
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any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that would
result in us being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause us to
fail to qualify as a REIT; and |
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any person from transferring shares of our stock if such transfer would result in shares
of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without
reference to any attribution rules). |
Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership
of shares of our stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on
transferability and ownership will be required to give notice immediately to us and provide us with
such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our
status as a REIT. The foregoing provisions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our
board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or
to continue to qualify, as a REIT.
Pursuant to our charter, if any purported transfer of our stock or any other event would
otherwise result in any person violating the ownership limits, the related tenant limits, or such
other limit as permitted by our board of directors, then any such purported transfer will be void
and of no force or effect
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as to that number of shares in excess of the ownership limit or the related tenant limit. That
number of shares in excess of the ownership limit or the related tenant limit will be automatically
transferred to, and held by, a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable
organizations. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business
day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the
trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the purported record transferee, prior to our
discovery that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above, must be
repaid to the trustee for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust. If the transfer
to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent
violation of the applicable ownership limit or as otherwise permitted by our board of directors,
then our charter provides that the transfer of the excess shares will be void.
Shares of our stock transferred to the trustee are deemed offered for sale to us, or our
designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price paid by the purported record
transferee for the shares (or, if the event which resulted in the devise, gift or other transfer to
the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares in which no value was given, at the fair market
value of the shares (as determined by our board of directors), and (ii) the fair market value of
the shares (as determined by our board of directors) on the date we, or our designee, accepts such
offer. We have the right to accept such offer for a period of 90 days from the later of the date of
the transfer creating the excess shares or the date on which the board of directors determines in
good faith that a transfer creating excess shares has occurred. At the board of directors sole
discretion, we may pay the purchase price for the redemption at any time up to five years from our
decision to redeem the shares. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the
shares sold terminates and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the
purported record transferee and any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with
respect to such common stock will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.
If we do not buy the shares, the trustee must sell the shares to a person or entity designated
by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limits or the related
tenant limit or as otherwise permitted by our board of directors. After that, the trustee must
distribute to the purported record transferee an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the price paid
by the purported record transferee or owner for the shares (or, if the event which resulted in the
transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at fair market value of the shares
(as determined by our board of directors) and (ii) the sales proceeds received by the trust for the
shares, less any dividends or distributions paid to the purported record transferee which such
purported record transferee was to repay to the trustee but has failed to so repay. The purported
beneficial transferee or purported record transferee has no rights in the shares held by the
trustee. All proceeds not delivered to the purported record transferee shall be delivered to the
charitable beneficiary.
The trustee shall be designated by us and shall be unaffiliated with us and with any purported
record transferee or purported beneficial transferee. Prior to the sale of any excess shares by the
trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary, all dividends and other
distributions paid by us with respect to the excess shares, and may also exercise all voting rights
with respect to the excess shares.
Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the
trust, any vote cast by a purported record transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have
been transferred to the trust shall be rescinded ab initio.
Any beneficial owner or constructive owner of more than 5% of the number or value of
outstanding shares of our stock shall, within 30 days after January 1 of each year, provide written
notice to us stating such persons name and address, the number of shares held by such person and a
description of how such shares are held. In addition, each beneficial owner or constructive owner
of any shares of our stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who is
holding shares of our stock for
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a beneficial owner must, on request, be required to disclose to us in writing such information
as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such stockholders actual and
constructive ownership of shares of our common stock on our status as a REIT and to ensure
compliance with the ownership limit, or as otherwise permitted by our board of directors.
All certificates representing shares of our common stock bear a legend referring to the
restrictions described above.
These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of
our company that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best
interest of our stockholders.
Transfer Agent And Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Wells Fargo Shareowner Services.
MATERIAL PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW
AND OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS
The following is a summary of Maryland law and our charter and bylaws, copies of which are
exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We recommend that you
review these documents. See Where You Can Find More Information.
The Board Of Directors
Our bylaws provide that the number of directors may be established by our board of directors
but may not be fewer than three nor greater than seven. Any vacancy will be filled, at any regular
meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, by a majority of the remaining
directors.
Pursuant to our charter and bylaws, each member of our board of directors serves a one year
term. Holders of our common stock have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Consequently, at each annual meeting of our stockholders, all of the members of our board of
directors will stand for election and our directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes
cast. Our directors may only be removed for cause and by the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least two-thirds of our common stock.
Maryland Takeover Statutes
Maryland law prohibits business combinations between a corporation and an interested
stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder for five years after the most recent date
on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations
include a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the
statute, certain transfers of assets, certain stock issuances and transfers, liquidation plans and
reclassifications involving interested stockholders and their affiliates as asset transfer or
issuance or reclassification of equity securities. Maryland law defines an interested stockholder
as:
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any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our voting stock; or |
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an affiliate or 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. |
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A person is not an interested stockholder if the board of directors approves in advance the
transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in
approving the transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to
compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board
of directors.
After the five year prohibition, any business combination between a corporation and an
interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors and approved by the
affirmative vote of at least:
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80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of the then outstanding shares of our
stock entitled to vote on the matter; and |
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two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of our stock other than shares
held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business
combination is to be effected or shares held by an affiliate or associate of the interested
stockholder. |
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if our stockholders receive a minimum
price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration
in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.
The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations
that are approved by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes
an interested stockholder.
Maryland law also provides that control shares acquired in a control share acquisition
have no voting rights unless approved by a vote of two-thirds of our outstanding voting shares,
excluding shares owned by the acquiror or by officers or directors who are employees of ours.
Control shares are voting shares which, if aggregated with all other shares previously acquired
by the acquiring person, or in respect of which the acquiring person is able to exercise or direct
the exercise of voting power, other than by revocable proxy, would entitle the acquiring person to
exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
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one-tenth or more but less than one-third; |
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one-third or more but less than a majority; or |
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a majority of all voting power. |
Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result
of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the
acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of
certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay expenses, may compel our board of directors to
call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting
rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, we may present the question at any
stockholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the stockholders meeting or if the acquiring person does
not deliver the statement required by Maryland law, then, subject to certain conditions and
limitations, we may redeem any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights
have previously been
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approved, for fair value. Fair value is determined without regard to the absence of voting
rights for the control shares and as of the date of the last control share acquisition or of any
meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares were considered and not approved.
If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror may
then vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, then all other stockholders may exercise
appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares for purposes of these 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 we are a party to the transaction, nor does it apply to acquisitions approved or
exempted by our charter or bylaws.
Our bylaws exempt from the Maryland control share statute any and all acquisitions of our
stock by any person. The board of directors has the right, however, to amend this exemption at any
time in the future.
Maryland law also provides that Maryland corporations that are subject to the Exchange Act and
have at least three outside directors can elect by resolution of the board of directors to be
subject to some corporate governance provisions that may be inconsistent with the corporations
charter and bylaws. Under the applicable statute, a board of directors may classify itself without
the vote of stockholders. A board of directors classified in that manner cannot be altered by
amendment to the charter of the corporation. Further, the board of directors may, by electing into
applicable statutory provisions and notwithstanding the charter or bylaws:
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provide that a special meeting of stockholders will be called only at the request of
stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the
meeting, |
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reserve for itself the right to fix the number of directors, |
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provide that a director may be removed only by the vote of the holders of two-thirds of
the stock entitled to vote, |
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retain for itself sole authority to fill vacancies created by the death, removal or
resignation of a director, and |
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provide that all vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining
directors do not constitute a quorum. |
In addition, a director elected to fill a vacancy under this provision will serve for the
balance of the unexpired term instead of until the next annual meeting of stockholders. A board of
directors may implement all or any of these provisions without amending the charter or bylaws and
without stockholder approval. A corporation may be prohibited by its charter or by resolution of
its board of directors from electing any of the provisions of the statute. We are not prohibited
from implementing any or all of the statute. While certain of these provisions are already
contemplated by our charter and bylaws, the law would permit our board of directors to override
further changes to the charter or bylaws. If implemented, these provisions could discourage offers
to acquire our stock and could increase the difficulty of completing an offer.
Amendment To Our Charter
Subject to applicable law, our charter may be amended if declared advisable by the board of
directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of all of
the votes
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entitled to be cast on the matter; provided, however, that, without stockholder action, 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 that we have authority to issue.
Dissolution
A voluntary dissolution of our company must be declared advisable by the board of directors
and approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of all of the votes
entitled to be cast on the matter.
Advance Notice Of Director Nominations And New Business
Our bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of
persons for election to our board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by
stockholders may be made only:
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pursuant to our notice of the meeting given by or at the direction of the board of
directors; |
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otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the board
of directors; or |
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by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the
advance notice procedures set forth in our bylaws. |
Anti-Takeover Effect Of Certain Provisions Of Maryland Law And Of Our Charter And Bylaws
The provisions of our charter regarding removal of directors and the advance notice provisions
of the bylaws could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company
that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best
interest. Under our charter, in considering a potential acquisition of control of our company, our
board of directors is entitled to consider the effect of the transaction on our suppliers,
customers and creditors and the communities in which we operate as well as our stockholders.
Further, unlike some states, Maryland law will not subject our board of directors to a higher duty
or greater scrutiny when taking action relating to an acquisition or potential acquisition of
control of our company. Maryland law provides that the duty of the directors of a corporation does
not require them to accept, recommend or respond to any proposal by a person seeking to acquire
control of the corporation. All of the foregoing, as well as the business combination provisions of
Maryland law and, if the provision in our bylaws opting out of the control share acquisition
provisions of Maryland law were rescinded, those control share acquisition provisions could have
the effect of delaying or preventing a transaction that might benefit our stockholders or otherwise
be in their best interest.
Indemnification And Limitation Of Directors And Officers Liability
The MGCL requires a corporation to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on
the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made a party by
reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its
present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines,
settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to
which they may be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is
established that:
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an act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to
the proceeding and |
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was committed in bad faith; or |
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was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; or |
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the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money,
property or services; or |
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in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to
believe that the act or omission was unlawful. |
However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit
by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal
benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only
for expenses. The termination of any proceeding by conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or
its equivalent or an entry of an order of probation prior to judgment creates a rebuttable
presumption that the director or officer did not meet the requisite standard of conduct required
for permitted indemnification. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order or settlement,
however, does not create a presumption that the director or officer did not meet the requisite
standard of conduct for permitted indemnification.
In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or
officer upon the corporations receipt of:
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a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has
met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and |
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a written undertaking by the director or on the directors behalf to repay the amount
paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the director did
not meet the standard of conduct. |
The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the
liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages
except for liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money,
property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being
material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision which eliminates such
liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
Our bylaws obligate us, to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify any
director or former director and to pay or reimburse, in advance of final disposition of a
proceeding, reasonable expenses incurred by a director or former director, if such person is or is
threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of his or her position as a director. In
addition, our bylaws permit us, to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law, to similarly
provide indemnification and reimbursement of reasonable expenses to:
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any present or former officer, employee or other agent who is made a party to the
proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or |
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any person who serves or has served at our request as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation or entity. |
Our bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a
predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our
company or a predecessor of our company.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers
which require, among other things, that we indemnify our directors and executive officers, to the
fullest extent permitted by Maryland law, and advance to such persons all related expenses, subject
to reimbursement if it is subsequently determined that indemnification is not permitted. Under
these agreements, we must also indemnify and advance all expenses incurred by such persons seeking
to enforce their rights under the indemnification agreement.
Although the form of indemnification agreement offers substantially the same scope of coverage
afforded by law, it provides greater assurance to our directors and executive officers that
indemnification will be available.
Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons
controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, we have been
informed that in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Objecting Stockholders
Our charter provides that no holder of our common stock may exercise any rights of an
objecting stockholder under applicable Maryland law, except as such rights may be provided in
connection with a control share acquisition, although we have opted out of the Maryland control
share acquisition statute.
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Introductory Notes
The following is a description of the material federal income tax considerations to a holder
of our common stock. The following discussion is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations
and does not provide a detailed discussion of any state, local or foreign tax considerations, nor
does it discuss all of the aspects of federal income taxation that may be relevant to a prospective
stockholder in light of his or her particular circumstances or to stockholders (including insurance
companies, tax-exempt entities, financial institutions or broker-dealers, foreign corporations, and
persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States) who are subject to special
treatment under the federal income tax laws.
Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP has provided an opinion to the effect that this discussion,
to the extent that it contains descriptions of applicable federal income tax law, is correct in all
material respects and fairly summarizes the federal income tax laws referred to herein. This
opinion is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
This opinion, however, does not purport to address the actual tax consequences of the purchase,
ownership and disposition of our common stock to any particular holder. The opinion, and the
information in this section, is based on the federal tax laws, current, temporary and proposed
Treasury regulations, the legislative history of the federal tax laws, current administrative
interpretations and practices of the IRS, and court decisions. The reference to IRS interpretations
and practices includes IRS practices and policies as endorsed in private letter rulings, which are
not binding on the IRS except with respect to the taxpayer that receives the ruling. In each case,
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these sources are relied upon as they exist on the date of this prospectus. We cannot assure
you that future legislation, regulations, administrative interpretations and court decisions will
not significantly change current law, or adversely affect existing interpretations of existing law,
on which the opinion and the information in this section are based. Any change of this kind could
apply retroactively to transactions preceding the date of the change. Moreover, opinions of counsel
merely represent counsels best judgment with respect to the probable outcome on the merits and are
not binding on the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, even if there is no change in applicable law, we
cannot assure you that such opinion, or the statements made in the following discussion, will not
be challenged by the IRS or will be sustained by a court if so challenged.
EACH PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER IS ADVISED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR, REGARDING THE
SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND SALE OF SECURITIES OF AN
ENTITY ELECTING TO BE TAXED AS A REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL,
FOREIGN, AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP, SALE, AND ELECTION AND OF
POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
Pursuant to U.S. Treasury Department Circular 230, we are informing you that (a) this
discussion is not intended to be used, was not written to be used, and cannot be used, by any
taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the U.S. federal tax laws that may be imposed
on the taxpayer, (b) this discussion was written in connection with the promotion or marketing by
us of our common stock, and (c) each taxpayer should seek advice based on his, her or its
particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
REIT Taxation
General. We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 859 of the Code,
commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2003. Our qualification as a REIT depends
upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual annual operating results,
distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, the various qualification tests and
organizational requirements imposed under the federal tax laws, as discussed below. We believe that
we are organized and have operated in such a manner as to qualify under the federal tax laws for
taxation as a REIT since the beginning of 2003 and we intend to continue to operate in such a
manner. We can not assure you, however, that we will qualify as a REIT for 2005 and that we will
operate in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT. See Failure to Qualify below.
The following is a general summary of the material provisions of the federal tax laws that
govern the federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. These provisions of the
federal tax laws are highly technical and complex. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the
applicable provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder (Treasury Regulations),
and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof.
Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP has provided to us an opinion to the effect that we have
been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT,
effective for our taxable years ending December 31, 2003 and 2004, and our current and proposed
organization and method of operation will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for
qualification as a REIT for taxable year 2004 and thereafter. This opinion is filed as an exhibit
to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. It must be emphasized that this
opinion is conditioned upon certain assumptions and representations made by us to Blackwell Sanders
Peper Martin LLP as to factual matters relating to our organization and operation. Since
qualification as a REIT requires us to satisfy
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certain income and asset tests throughout the year of 2005, Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin
LLPs opinion is based upon assumption and our representations as to future conduct, income and
assets. In addition, this opinion is based upon our factual representations concerning our business
and properties as described in the reports filed by us under the federal securities laws.
Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis,
through actual annual operating results, the various requirements under the federal tax laws
described in this prospectus with regard to, among other things, the sources of our gross income,
the composition of our assets, our distribution levels, and our diversity of stock ownership.
Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP will not review our operating results on an ongoing basis. While
we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules
governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future
changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given that we satisfy all of the tests for REIT
qualification or will continue to do so.
If we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal corporate
income taxes on net income that we currently distribute to stockholders. This treatment
substantially eliminates the double taxation (at the corporate and stockholder levels) that
generally results from investment in a corporation.
Notwithstanding our REIT election, however, we will be subject to federal income tax in the
following circumstances. First, we will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed
taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains, provided, however, that properly
designated undistributed capital gains will effectively avoid taxation at the stockholder level.
Second, under certain circumstances, we may be subject to the alternative minimum tax on any
items of tax preference and alternative minimum tax adjustments. Third, if we have (i) net income
from the sale or other disposition of foreclosure property (which is, in general, property
acquired by foreclosure or otherwise on default of a loan secured by the property) that is held
primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or (ii) other nonqualifying
income from foreclosure property, we will be subject to tax at the highest corporate rate on such
income. Fourth, if we have net income from prohibited transactions (which are, in general, certain
sales or other dispositions of property (other than foreclosure property) held primarily for sale
to customers in the ordinary course of business), such income will be subject to a 100% tax on
prohibited transactions. Fifth, if we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95%
gross income test (as discussed below), and have nonetheless maintained our qualification as a REIT
because certain other requirements have been met, we will be subject to a 100% tax equal to the
gross income attributable to the greater of either (i) the amount by which 75% of our gross income
exceeds the amount qualifying under the 75% test for the taxable year or (ii) the amount by which
90% of our gross income exceeds the amount of our income qualifying under the 95% test for the
taxable year, multiplied in either case by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability. Sixth,
if we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our REIT
ordinary income for such year; (ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year (for this
purpose such term includes capital gains which we elect to retain but which we report as
distributed to our stockholders. See Annual Distribution Requirements below); and (iii) any
undistributed taxable income from prior years, we would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess
of such required distribution over the amounts actually distributed. Seventh, if we acquire any
asset from a C corporation (i.e., a corporation generally subject to full corporate level tax) in a
transaction in which the basis of the asset in our hands is determined by reference to the basis of
the asset (or any other property) in the hands of the C corporation, and we recognize gain on the
disposition of such asset during the 10-year period beginning on the date on which such asset was
acquired by us, then, to the extent of such propertys built-in gain (the excess of the fair market
value of such property at the time of acquisition by us over the adjusted basis of such property at
such time), such gain will be subject to tax at the highest regular corporate rate applicable,
assuming that we made or would make an election pursuant to Notice 88-19 or Treasury Regulations
that were promulgated in 2000.
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Eighth, we would be subject to a 100% penalty tax on amounts received (or on certain expenses
deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary) if arrangements among us, our tenants and a taxable REIT
subsidiary were not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties.
Requirements For Qualification
The federal tax laws define a REIT as a corporation, trust or association (i) which is managed
by one or more trustees or directors; (ii) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by
transferable shares or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest; (iii) which would be
taxable as a domestic corporation but for Sections 856 through 859 of the Code; (iv) which is
neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to certain provisions of the
federal tax laws; (v) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons; (vi) of
which not more than 50% in value of the outstanding capital stock is owned, directly or indirectly,
by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the federal tax laws to include certain entities)
during the last half of each taxable year after applying certain attribution rules; (vii) that
makes an election to be treated as a REIT for the current taxable year or has made an election for
a previous taxable year which has not been revoked and (viii) which meets certain other tests,
described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets. The federal tax laws provide that
conditions (i) through (iv), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year and that
condition (v) 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. Condition (vi) must be met during the
last half of each taxable year. For purposes of determining stock ownership under condition (vi), a
supplemental unemployment compensation benefits plan, a private foundation or a portion of a trust
permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes generally is considered an
individual. However, a trust that is a qualified trust under Code Section 401(a) generally is not
considered an individual, and beneficiaries of a qualified trust are treated as holding shares of a
REIT in proportion to their actuarial interests in the trust for purposes of condition (vi).
Conditions (v) and (vi) do not apply until after the first taxable year for which an election is
made to be taxed as a REIT. We have issued sufficient shares of common stock with sufficient
diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy requirements (v) and (vi). In addition, our charter
contains restrictions regarding the transfer of our stock intended to assist in continuing to
satisfy the stock ownership requirements described in (v) and (vi) above. See Description of
Common Stock Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer. These restrictions, however, may not
ensure that we will be able to satisfy these stock ownership requirements. If we fail to satisfy
these stock ownership requirements, we will fail to qualify as a REIT.
To qualify as a REIT, we cannot have at the end of any taxable year any undistributed earnings
and profits that are attributable to a non-REIT taxable year. We believe that we have complied with
this requirement.
We are required to maintain certain records and request on an annual basis certain information
from our stockholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding shares. A
monetary penalty will be imposed upon us if we fail to comply with applicable Treasury Regulations
requiring us to maintain certain records and request certain information from our stockholders
designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding shares. If we comply with these
regulatory rules, and we do not know, or exercising reasonable diligence would not have known,
whether we failed to meet the stock ownership of requirement (vi) above, we will be treated as
having met the requirement.
Qualified REIT Subsidiaries
If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary that is a qualified REIT subsidiary, the separate
existence of that subsidiary will be disregarded for federal income tax purposes. Generally, a
qualified REIT subsidiary is a corporation, other than a taxable REIT subsidiary, all of the
capital stock of which is
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owned by the REIT. All assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the
qualified REIT subsidiary will be treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and
credit of the REIT itself. A qualified REIT subsidiary of ours will not be subject to federal
corporate income taxation, although it may be subject to state and local taxation in some states.
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
A taxable REIT subsidiary is an entity taxable as a corporation in which we own stock and
that elects with us to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary under Section 856(l) of the Code. In
addition, if one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, securities
representing more than 35% of the vote or value of a subsidiary corporation, that subsidiary will
also be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours. A taxable REIT subsidiary is subject to
federal income tax, and state and local income tax where applicable, as a regular C corporation.
Generally, a taxable REIT subsidiary can perform impermissible tenant services without causing
us to receive impermissible tenant services income under the REIT income tests. However, several
provisions regarding the arrangements between a REIT and its taxable REIT subsidiaries ensure that
a taxable REIT subsidiary will be subject to an appropriate level of federal income taxation. For
example, a taxable REIT subsidiary is limited in its ability to deduct interest payments made to
us. In addition, we will be obligated to pay a 100% penalty tax on some payments that we receive or
on certain expenses deducted by the taxable REIT subsidiary if the economic arrangements among us,
our tenants and the taxable REIT subsidiary are not comparable to similar arrangements among
unrelated parties. We currently do not have any taxable REIT subsidiaries.
Income Tests
In order for us to maintain qualification as a REIT, certain separate percentage tests
relating to the source of our gross income must be satisfied annually. First, at least 75% of our
gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions) for each taxable year generally
must be derived directly or indirectly from investments relating to real property or mortgages on
real property (including rents from real property, gain, and, in certain circumstances, interest)
or from certain types of temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income (excluding
gross income from prohibited transactions) for each taxable year must be derived from such real
property investments described above, dividends, interest and gain from the sale or disposition of
stock or securities, some payments under hedging instruments, or from any combination of the
foregoing.
Rents received by us will qualify as rents from real property in satisfying the above gross
income tests only if several conditions are met. First, the amount of rent must not be based in
whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, amounts received or accrued
generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on a
fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.
Second, rents received from a tenant will not qualify as rents from real property if we, or
a direct or indirect owner of 10% or more of our stock, actually or constructively owns 10% or more
of such tenant (a Related Party Tenant). We may, however, lease our properties to a taxable REIT
subsidiary and rents received from that subsidiary will not be disqualified from being rents from
real property by reason of our ownership interest in the subsidiary if at least 90% of the
property in question is leased to unrelated tenants and the rent paid by the taxable REIT
subsidiary is substantially comparable to the rent paid by the unrelated tenants for comparable
space.
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Third, if rent attributable to personal property that is leased in connection with a lease of
real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of
rent attributable to such personal property will not qualify as rents from real property. This
15% test is based on relative fair market values of the real and personal property.
Generally, for rents to qualify as rents from real property for the purposes of the gross
income tests, we are only allowed to provide services that are both usually or customarily
rendered in connection with the rental of real property and not otherwise considered rendered to
the occupant. Income received from any other service will be treated as impermissible tenant
service income unless the service is provided through an independent contractor that bears the
expenses of providing the services and from whom we derive no revenue or through a taxable REIT
subsidiary, subject to specified limitations. The amount of impermissible tenant service income we
receive is deemed to be the greater of the amount actually received by us or 150% of our direct
cost of providing the service. If the impermissible tenant service income exceeds 1% of our total
income from a property, then all of the income from that property will fail to qualify as rents
from real property. If the total amount of impermissible tenant service income from a property does
not exceed 1% of our total income from that property, the income will not cause the rent paid by
tenants of that property to fail to qualify as rents from real property, but the impermissible
tenant service income itself will not qualify as rents from real property.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year,
we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under certain
provisions of the federal tax laws. These relief provisions generally will be available if our
failure to meet such tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, if we attach
a schedule of the sources of our income to our federal income tax return for such years, and if any
incorrect information on the schedules was not due to fraud with intent to evade tax. It is not
possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of
these relief provisions. As discussed above in General, even if these relief provisions were to
apply, a tax would be imposed with respect to the excess net income.
Asset Tests
At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we must satisfy six tests relating to the
nature 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, cash items and government securities. Our real estate assets include, for
this purpose, our allocable share of real estate assets held by the partnerships in which
we own an interest, and the non-corporate subsidiaries of these partnerships, as well as
stock or debt instruments held for less than one year purchased with the proceeds of an
offering of shares or long term debt. |
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Not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities,
other than those in the 75% asset class. |
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Except for certain investments in REITs, qualified REIT subsidiaries, and taxable REIT
subsidiaries, the value of any one issuers securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the
value of our total assets. |
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Except for certain investments in REITs, qualified REIT subsidiaries and taxable REIT
subsidiaries, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuers outstanding voting
securities. |
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Except for certain investments in REITs, qualified REIT subsidiaries and taxable REIT
subsidiaries, we may not own more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities
of any one issuer, other than securities that qualify as straight debt under the federal
tax laws. |
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Not more than 20% of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or
more taxable REIT subsidiaries. |
For purposes of these asset tests, any shares of qualified REIT subsidiaries are not taken
into account, and any assets owned by the qualified REIT subsidiary are treated as owned directly
by the REIT.
Securities, for purposes of the assets tests, may include debt we hold. However, debt we hold
in an issuer will not be taken into account for purposes of the 10% value test if the debt
securities meet the straight debt safe harbor and either (1) the issuer is an individual, (2) the
only securities of the issuer that we hold are straight debt or (3) if the issuer is a partnership,
we hold at least a 20 percent profits interest in the partnership. Debt will meet the straight
debt safe harbor if the debt is a written unconditional promise to pay on demand or on a specified
date a sum certain in money (1) which is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock and
(2) the interest rate (or the interest payment dates) of which is not contingent on the profits,
the borrowers discretion or similar factors.
With respect to each issuer in which we currently own an interest that does not qualify as a
REIT, a qualified REIT subsidiary or a taxable REIT subsidiary, we believe that our pro rata share
of the value of the securities, including unsecured debt, of any such issuer does not exceed 5% of
the total value of our assets and that we comply with the 10% voting securities limitation and 10%
value limitation (taking into account the straight debt exceptions with respect to certain
issuers). With respect to our compliance with each of these asset tests, however, we cannot provide
any assurance that the IRS might not disagree with our determinations.
After initially meeting the asset tests after the close of any quarter, we will not lose our
status as a REIT if we fail to satisfy the 25%, 20% or 5% asset tests or the 10% value limitation
at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in the relative values of our assets. If
the failure to satisfy the 25%, 20%, or 5% asset tests or the 10% value limitation results from an
increase in the value of our assets after the acquisition of securities or other property during a
quarter, the failure can be cured by a disposition of sufficient non-qualifying assets within 30
days after the close of that quarter. We have maintained and intend to continue to maintain
adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests and to take
any available actions within 30 days after the close of any quarter as may be required to cure any
noncompliance with the 25%, 20%, or 5% asset tests or the 10% value limitation. We cannot ensure
that these steps always will be successful. If we were to fail to cure the noncompliance with the
asset tests within this 30 day period, we could fail to qualify as a REIT.
With respect to taxable years beginning after October 22, 2004, however, a REIT will not lose
its REIT status for failing to satisfy the requirements of the 5% and 10% tests if such failure is
due to the ownership of assets the total value of which does not exceed the lesser of: (i) 1% of
the total value of the REITs assets at the end of the quarter for which such measurement is done
or (ii) $10 million. However, the REIT must either: (i) dispose of the assets within six months
after the last day of the quarter in which the REIT identifies the failure (or such other time
period prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service), or (ii) otherwise meet the requirements of
those rules by the end of such time period.
In addition, if a REIT fails to meet any of the asset test requirements for a particular
quarter, and the failure exceeds the above-described de minimis standard, then the REIT still will
be considered to have satisfied these tests if the REIT satisfies several requirements. First, the
REITs failure to satisfy the
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particular asset test must be due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. Second,
the REIT must file a schedule of the assets resulting in such failure with the Internal Revenue
Service in accordance with the regulations and must dispose of the assets within six months after
the last day of the quarter in which the REIT identified the failure (or such other time period
prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service) or otherwise meet the requirements of those rules by
the end of such time period. Finally, the REIT must pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or
the amount determined by multiplying the highest corporate tax rate by the net income generated by
the assets described in the schedule for the period beginning on the first date that the failure
occurs and ending on the date when the REIT disposes of such assets or the end of the first quarter
when the REIT no longer fails to satisfy the particular asset test.
Also, effective for taxable years beginning after October 22, 2004, if a REIT fails to satisfy
requirements other than the income or asset tests, the REIT will not lose its qualification as a
REIT provided such violations are due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and the
REIT pays a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.
Annual Distribution Requirements
We, in order to qualify as a REIT, are required to distribute dividends (other than capital
gain dividends) to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to (i) the sum of (a) 90% of our
REIT taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital
gain) and (b) 90% of the net income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure property, minus (ii) the
sum of certain items of noncash income. Such distributions generally must be paid in the taxable
year to which they relate. Dividends may be paid in the following year in two circumstances. First,
dividends may be declared in the following year if the dividends are declared before we timely file
our tax return for the year and paid within 12 months of the end of the tax year but before the
first regular dividend payment made after such declaration. Second, if we declare a dividend in
October, November or December of any year with a record date in one of these months and pay the
dividend on or before January 31 of the following year, we will be treated as having paid the
dividend on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared. To the extent that we do
not distribute all of our net capital gain or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our
REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax on the nondistributed amount at
regular capital gains and ordinary corporate tax rates. Furthermore, if we should fail to
distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for
such year; (ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain income for such year; and (iii) any undistributed
taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such
required distribution over the amounts actually distributed.
We may elect to retain and pay tax on net long-term capital gains and require our stockholders
to include their proportionate share of such undistributed net capital gains in their income. If we
make such election, stockholders would receive a tax credit attributable to their share of the
capital gains tax paid by us, and would receive an increase in the basis of their shares in us in
an amount equal to the stockholders share of the undistributed net long-term capital gain reduced
by the amount of the credit. Further, any undistributed net long-term capital gains that are
included in the income of our stockholders pursuant to this rule will be treated as distributed for
purposes of the 4% excise tax.
We have made and intend to continue to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the
annual distribution requirements. It is possible, however, that we, from time to time, may not have
sufficient cash or liquid assets to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences
between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses and the inclusion of
such income and deduction of such expenses in arriving at our taxable income, or if the amount of
nondeductible expenses such as principal amortization or capital expenditures exceeds the amount of
noncash deductions. In the event that such timing differences occur, in order to meet the
distribution requirements, we may arrange for short-
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term, or possibly long-term, borrowing to permit the payment of required dividends. If the
amount of nondeductible expenses exceeds noncash deductions, we may refinance our indebtedness to
reduce principal payments and may borrow funds for capital expenditures.
Under certain circumstances, we may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution
requirement for a year by paying deficiency dividends to stockholders in a later year that may be
included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may avoid being taxed
on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends; however, we will be required to pay interest to the
IRS based upon the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Failure To Qualify
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and no relief provisions
apply, we will be subject to tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable
income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to stockholders in any year in which we fail to
qualify will not be deductible by us, nor will such distributions be required to be made. In such
event, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to
stockholders will be taxable as ordinary income, and, subject to certain limitations in the Code,
corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction and non-corporate
taxpayers will be taxed (for the periods after 2002 and before 2009) at the same federal income tax
rates as capital gains are subject to tax for federal income tax purposes. 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 qualification was lost. It is not
possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to such statutory relief.
Our Depreciation Method And Life
Since we intend to purchase properties which will be predominantly leased on a long-term basis
to governmental entities, we will likely have to depreciate our assets leased to those entities on
a straight-line basis and over a longer time period than would otherwise be applicable to such
property under the federal tax laws.
Taxation Of Stockholders
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders. As used in the remainder of this discussion, the term
U.S. Stockholder means a beneficial owner of our common stock that is for United States federal
income tax purposes:
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a citizen or resident, as defined in Section 7701(b) of the Code, of the United States; |
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a corporation or partnership, or other entity treated as a corporation or partnership
for federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United
States or any state or the District of Columbia; |
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an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation
regardless of its source; or |
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in general, a trust subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and the
control of one or more United States persons. |
Generally, in the case of a partnership that holds our common stock, any partner that would be
a U.S. Stockholder if it held the common stock directly is also a U.S. Stockholder. As long as we
qualify as
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a REIT, distributions made to our taxable U.S. Stockholders out of current or accumulated
earnings and profits (and not designated as capital gain dividends or retained capital gains) will
be taken into account by them as ordinary income, and corporate stockholders will not be eligible
for the dividends received deduction as to such amounts. In the case of individual shareholders
for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2008, such distributions, if designated by
the REIT in a written notice mailed not later than 60 days after the close of its taxable year, may
qualify (provided holding period and certain other requirements are met) as qualified dividend
income eligible to be taxed at the reduced maximum rate of generally 15% (5% for individuals in
lower tax brackets) to the extent that the REIT receives qualified dividend income. Qualified
dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and qualified
foreign corporations. A qualified foreign corporation generally excludes any foreign corporation
which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding
taxable year, is a passive foreign investment company. The total amount that can be designed as
qualified dividend income by the REIT generally cannot exceed the sum of (1) the REITs qualified
dividend income for the tax year, (2) the amount of its REIT taxable income and income taxed under
the Code section 337(d) regulations, minus the tax on these items , for the prior year and (3) the
amount of any earnings and profits that were distributed by the REIT for the tax year and
accumulated in a tax year during which the REIT was not subject to the REIT rules. Distributions
in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a stockholder to
the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted basis of such stockholders common stock, but
rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such shares as a return of capital. To the extent that
such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a stockholders common stock, they will be included
in income as long-term capital gain (or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for
one year or less), assuming the shares are a capital asset in the hands of the stockholder. In
addition, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any year payable to a
stockholder of record on a specific date in any such month shall be treated as both paid by us and
received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that the dividend is actually
paid by us during January of the following calendar year. For purposes of determining what portion
of a distribution is attributable to current or accumulated earnings and profits, earnings and
profits will first be allocated to distributions made to holders of any shares of preferred stock.
Stockholders may not include in their individual income tax returns any net operating losses or
capital losses of ours.
In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares by a stockholder
who is not a dealer in securities will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if the shares
have been held for more than one year, otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any
loss upon a sale or exchange of common stock by a stockholder who has held such shares for six
months or less (after applying certain holding period rules) generally will be treated as long-term
capital loss to the extent of distributions from us required to be treated by such stockholder as
long-term capital gain.
Distributions that we properly designate as capital gain dividends will be taxable to
stockholders as gains (to the extent that they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the
taxable year) from the sale or disposition of a capital asset held for greater than one year. If we
designate any portion of a dividend as a capital gain dividend, a U.S. Stockholder will receive an
Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-DIV indicating the amount that will be taxable to the
stockholder as capital gain. However, stockholders that are corporations may be required to treat
up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income. A portion of capital gain dividends
received by noncorporate taxpayers may be subject to tax at a 25% rate to the extent attributable
to certain gains realized on the sale of real property. In addition, noncorporate taxpayers are
generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15% on net long-term capital gain (generally, the excess of
net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) attributable to gains realized on the
sale of property held for greater that one year.
Distributions we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a stockholder of shares of
our stock will not be treated as passive activity income, and, as a result, stockholders generally
will not be
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able to apply any passive losses against such income or gain. Distributions we make (to the
extent they do not constitute a return of capital) generally will be treated as investment income
for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation. Gain arising from the sale or other
disposition of our stock (or distributions treated as such) will not be treated as investment
income under certain circumstances.
Upon any taxable sale or other disposition of our common stock, a U.S. Stockholder will
recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on the disposition of our stock in an amount
equal to the difference between
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the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on such disposition; and |
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the U.S. Stockholders adjusted basis in such stock for tax purposes. |
Gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the common stock has been held by the U.S.
Stockholder as a capital asset. The applicable tax rate will depend on the stockholders holding
period in the asset (generally, if an asset has been held for more than one year it will produce
long-term capital gain) and the stockholders tax bracket. A U.S. Stockholder who is an individual
or an estate or trust and who has long-term capital gain or loss will be subject to a maximum
capital gain rate of 15%. However, to the extent that the capital gain realized by a non-corporate
stockholder on the sale of REIT stock corresponds to the REITs unrecaptured Section 1250 gain,
such gain would be subject to tax at a rate of 25%. Stockholders are advised to consult with their
own tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders. Provided that a tax-exempt stockholder has not held our
common stock as debt financed property within the meaning of the federal tax laws, the dividend
income from us will not be unrelated business taxable income, referred to as UBTI, to a tax-exempt
stockholder. Similarly, income from the sale of our common stock will not constitute UBTI unless
the tax-exempt stockholder has held its stock as debt financed property within the meaning of the
federal tax laws or has used the common stock in a trade or business. However, for a tax-exempt
stockholder that is a social club, voluntary employee benefit association, supplemental
unemployment benefit trust, or qualified group legal services plan exempt from federal income
taxation under Code Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20), respectively, or a single
parent title-holding corporation exempt under Code Section 501(c)(2) the income of which is payable
to any of the aforementioned tax-exempt organizations, income from an investment in us will
constitute UBTI unless the organization properly sets aside or reserves such amounts for purposes
specified in the federal tax laws. These tax exempt stockholders should consult their own tax
advisors concerning these set aside and reserve requirements.
A qualified trust (defined to be any trust described in Code Section 401(a) and exempt from
tax under Section 501(a) of the Code) that holds more than 10% of the value of the shares of a REIT
may be required, under certain circumstances, to treat a portion of distributions from the REIT as
UBTI. This requirement will apply for a taxable year only if (i) the REIT satisfies the requirement
that not more than 50% of the value of its shares be held by five or fewer individuals (the five
or fewer requirement) only by relying on a special look-through rule under which shares held by
qualified trust stockholders are treated as held by the beneficiaries of such trusts in proportion
to their actuarial interests therein; and (ii) the REIT is predominantly held by qualified
trusts. A REIT is predominantly held by qualified trusts if either (i) a single qualified trust
holds more than 25% of the value of the REIT shares, or (ii) one or more qualified trusts, each
owning more than 10% of the value of the REIT shares, hold in the aggregate more than 50% of the
value of the REIT shares. If the foregoing requirements are met, the percentage of any REIT
dividend treated as UBTI to a qualified trust that owns more than 10% of the value of the REIT
shares is equal to the ratio of (i) the UBTI earned by the REIT (computed as if the REIT were a
qualified trust and therefore subject to tax on its UBTI) to (ii) the total gross income (less
certain associated
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expenses) of the REIT for the year in which the dividends are paid. A de minimis exception
applies where the ratio set forth in the preceding sentence is less than 5% for any year.
The provisions requiring qualified trusts to treat a portion of REIT distributions as UBTI
will not apply if the REIT is able to satisfy the five or fewer requirement without relying on the
look-through rule. The restrictions on ownership of stock in our charter should prevent
application of the foregoing provisions to qualified trusts purchasing our stock, absent a waiver
of the restrictions by the board of directors.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders. The rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of
nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations, foreign partnerships and other foreign
stockholders (collectively, Non-U.S. Stockholders) are complex, and no attempt will be made
herein to provide more than a limited summary of such rules. The discussion does not consider any
specific facts or circumstances that may apply to a particular Non-U.S. Stockholder. Prospective
Non-U.S. Stockholders should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the impact of U.S.
federal, state and local income tax laws with regard to an investment in our common stock,
including any reporting requirements.
Distributions that are not attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of U.S. real
property interests and not designated by us as capital gain dividends or retained capital gains
will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent that they are made out of our current
or accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions ordinarily will be subject to a withholding
tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution unless an applicable tax treaty reduces
such rate. However, if income from the investment in our stock is treated as effectively connected
with the Non-U.S. Stockholders conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the Non-U.S. Stockholder
generally will be subject to a tax at graduated rates in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are
taxed with respect to such dividends (and may also be subject to a branch profits tax of up to 30%
if the stockholder is a foreign corporation). We expect to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of
30% on the gross amount of any dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Stockholder that are not designated as
capital gain dividends, unless (i) a lower treaty rate applies and the Non-U.S. Stockholder files
an IRS Form W-8BEN evidencing eligibility for that reduced rate is filed with us or (ii) the
Non-U.S. Stockholder files an IRS Form W-8ECI with us claiming that the distribution is income
treated as effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business.
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be
taxable to a stockholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted basis of the
stockholders stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such shares. To the extent that
such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a Non-U.S. Stockholders shares, they will give
rise to tax liability if the Non-U.S. Stockholder would otherwise be subject to tax on any gain
from the sale or disposition of his or her stock as described below. We may be required to withhold
U.S. income tax at the rate of at least 10% on distributions to Non-U.S. Stockholders that are not
paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits unless the Non-U.S. Stockholders provide us
with withholding certificates evidencing their exemption from withholding tax. If it cannot be
determined at the time that such a distribution is made whether or not such distribution will be in
excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to
withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. However, the Non-U.S. Stockholder may seek a
refund of such amounts from the IRS if it is subsequently determined that such distribution was, in
fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
For any year in which we qualify as a REIT, distributions that are attributable to gain from
sales or exchanges by us of U.S. real property interests will be taxed to a Non-U.S. Stockholder
under the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA). Under
FIRPTA, these distributions generally are taxed to a Non-U.S. Stockholder as if such gain were
effectively connected with a U.S. business. Thus, Non-U.S. Stockholders will be taxed on such
distributions at the
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normal capital gain rates applicable to U.S. Stockholders (subject to applicable alternative
minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals).
Also, distributions subject to FIRPTA may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a
corporate Non-U.S. Stockholder not entitled to treaty relief or exemption. We are required by
applicable Treasury Regulations to withhold 35% of any distribution that could be designated by us
as a capital gain dividend. This amount is creditable against the Non-U.S. stockholders FIRPTA tax
liability. Effective for taxable years beginning after October 22, 2004, however, REIT
distributions attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests will be
treated as ordinary income dividends rather than effectively connected income under the FIRPTA
rules if (1) the distribution is received with respect to a class of stock that is regularly traded
on an established securities market located in the United States and (2) the foreign investor does
not own more than five percent of the class of stock at any time during the taxable year within
which the distribution is received
Gain recognized by a Non-U.S. Stockholder upon the sale or exchange of our stock generally
would not be subject to United States taxation unless:
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the investment in our stock is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Stockholders
U.S. trade or business, in which case the Non-U.S. Stockholder will be subject to the same
treatment as domestic stockholders with respect to any gain; |
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the Non-U.S. Stockholder is a non-resident alien individual who is present in the United
States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the United
States, in which case the non-resident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the
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our stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest within the meaning of FIRPTA, as
described below. |
Our common stock will not constitute a United States real property interest if we are a
domestically-controlled REIT. We will be a domestically-controlled REIT if, at all times during a
specified testing period, less than 50% in value of our stock is held directly or indirectly by
Non-U.S. Stockholders.
We believe that, currently, we are a domestically controlled REIT and, therefore, that the
sale of our common stock would not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. Because our common stock is
publicly traded, however, we cannot guarantee that we are or will continue to be a
domestically-controlled REIT.
Even if we do not qualify as a domestically-controlled REIT at the time a Non-U.S. Stockholder
sells our common stock, gain arising from the sale still would not be subject to FIRPTA tax if:
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the class or series of shares sold is considered regularly traded under applicable
Treasury regulations on an established securities market, such as the NYSE; and |
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the selling Non-U.S. Stockholder owned, actually or constructively, 5% or less in value
of the outstanding class or series of stock being sold throughout the five-year period
ending on the date of the sale or exchange. |
If gain on the sale or exchange of our common stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the
Non-U.S. Stockholder would be subject to regular U.S. income tax with respect to any gain in the
same
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manner as a taxable U.S. Stockholder, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and
special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals.
State and Local Taxes. We and our stockholders may be subject to state or local taxation in
various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which we or they transact business or
reside (although U.S. Stockholders who are individuals generally should not be required to file
state income tax returns outside of their state of residence with respect to our operations and
distributions). The state and local tax treatment of us and our stockholders may not conform to the
federal income tax consequences discussed above. Consequently, prospective stockholders should
consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in
our common stock.
Backup Withholding Tax And Information Reporting
U.S. Holders. In general, information-reporting requirements will apply to certain U.S.
holders with regard to payments of dividends on our stock, original issue discount (OID),
interest, and payments of the proceeds of the sale of our common stock, unless an exception
applies.
The payor will be required to withhold tax on such payments at the rate of 28% if (i) the
payee fails to furnish a taxpayer identification number, or TIN, to the payor or to establish an
exemption from backup withholding, or (ii) the IRS notifies the payor that the TIN furnished by the
payor is incorrect.
In addition, a payor of dividends on our common stock will be required to withhold tax at a
rate of 28% if (i) there has been a notified payee under-reporting with respect to interest,
dividends or original issue discount described in Section 3406(c) of the Code, or (ii) there has
been a failure of the payee to certify under the penalty of perjury that the payee is not subject
to backup withholding under the federal tax laws. The current backup withholding rate of 28% could
change in future years.
Some holders, including corporations, may be exempt from backup withholding. Any amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a holder will be allowed as a credit
against the holders United States federal income tax and may entitle the holder to a refund,
provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Non-U.S. Holders. Generally, information reporting will apply to payments of dividends on our
common stock, interest, including OID, and backup withholding as described above for a U.S. holder,
unless the payee certifies that it is not a U.S. person or otherwise establishes an exemption.
The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of our common stock to or through the U.S.
office of a U.S. or foreign broker will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding
as described above for U.S. holders unless the non-U.S. holder satisfies the requirements necessary
to be an exempt non-U.S. holder or otherwise qualifies for an exemption. The proceeds of a
disposition by a non-U.S. holder of stock to or through a foreign office of a broker generally will
not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, if the broker is a U.S.
person, a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. tax purposes, a foreign person 50% or more of
whose gross income from all sources for specified periods is from activities that are effectively
connected with a U.S. trade or business, a foreign partnership if partners who hold more than 50%
of the interests in the partnership are U.S. persons, or a foreign partnership that is engaged in
the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., then information reporting generally will apply as
though the payment was made through a U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker.
Applicable Treasury Regulations provide presumptions regarding the status of holders when
payments to the holders cannot be reliably associated with appropriate documentation provided to
the payor. Under these Treasury Regulations, some holders are required to provide new
certifications with
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respect to payments made after December 31, 2000. Because the application of these Treasury
Regulations varies depending on the stockholders particular circumstances, you are advised to
consult your tax advisor regarding the information reporting requirements applicable to you.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus
supplements to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or we may sell these
securities to investors directly. Each prospectus supplement, to the extent applicable, will
describe the number and terms of the securities to which such prospectus supplement relates, the
name or names of any underwriters or agents with whom we have entered into arrangements with
respect to the sale of such securities, the public offering or purchase price of such securities
and the net proceeds we will receive from such sale. Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer
and sale of our securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may sell
securities directly to investors on our own behalf in those jurisdictions where we are authorized
to do so.
Underwriters may offer and sell the securities at a fixed price or prices, which may be
changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing
market prices or at negotiated prices. We also may, from time to time, authorize dealers or agents
to offer and sell any of these securities on the terms and conditions described in the applicable
prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of any of these securities, underwriters may
receive compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also
receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters
may sell these securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the
form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the
purchasers for which they may act as agents.
Securities may also be sold in one or more of the following transactions: (a) block
transactions (which may involve crosses) in which a broker-dealer may sell all or a portion of the
securities as agent but may position and resell all or a portion of the block as principal to
facilitate the transaction; (b) purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the
broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to a prospectus supplement; (c) a special offering, an
exchange distribution or a secondary distribution in accordance with applicable New York Stock
Exchange or other stock exchange rules; (d) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in
which a broker-dealer solicits purchasers; (e) sales at the market to or through a market maker
or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, for shares; and (f) sales in other
ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to
purchasers. Broker-dealers may also receive compensation from purchasers of these securities which
is not expected to exceed that customary in the types of transactions involved.
Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters or agents in connection with the
offering of these securities, and any discounts or concessions or commissions allowed by
underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of these securities may be deemed to be
underwriters and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on
resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to
indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act. Unless otherwise set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement, the
obligations of any underwriters to purchase any of these securities will be subject to certain
conditions precedent.
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In connection with the offering of the securities described in this prospectus and any
applicable prospectus supplement, certain underwriters, and selling group members and their
respective affiliates, may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
market price of the securities being offered. These transactions may include stabilization
transactions effected in accordance with Rule 104 of Regulation M promulgated by the SEC pursuant
to which these persons may bid for or purchase securities for the purpose of stabilizing their
market price.
The underwriters in an offering of these securities may also create a short position for
their account by selling more securities in connection with the offering than they are committed to
purchase from us. In that case, the underwriters could cover all or a portion of the short position
by either purchasing the securities in the open market following completion of the offering or by
exercising any over-allotment option granted to them by us. In addition, the managing underwriter
may impose penalty bids under contractual arrangements with other underwriters, which means that
they can reclaim from an underwriter (or any selling group member participating in the offering),
for the account of the other underwriters, the selling concession for the securities that is
distributed in the offering but subsequently purchased for the account of the underwriters in the
open market. Any of the transactions described in this paragraph or comparable transactions that
are described in any applicable prospectus supplement may result in the maintenance of the price of
our securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. None of the
transactions described in this paragraph or in any applicable prospectus supplement are required to
be taken by any underwriters and, if they are undertaken, may be discontinued at any time.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GPT. We have not
issued any shares of preferred stock. Any underwriters or agents to or through which our securities
are sold by us may make a market in our common stock or preferred stock, but these underwriters or
agents will not be obligated to do so and any of them may discontinue any market making at any time
without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or trading market for any of our
securities, including our common stock.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us
and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business. Underwriters have from time to time in the
past provided, and may from time to time in the future provide, investment banking services to us
for which they have in the past received, and may in the future receive, customary fees
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the
SEC. You may read and copy the materials we file at the SECs Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information
on the operation of the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on
the Internet from the SECs Web site at www.sec.gov. This site contains reports, proxy statements
and other information regarding issuers that file documents electronically with the SEC.
We have filed a registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, covering the
securities offered hereby. As allowed by SEC rules, this prospectus does not include all of the
information contained in the registration statement and the exhibits, financial statements and
schedules thereto. We refer you to the registration statement, and the exhibits, financial
statements and schedules thereto, for further information. This prospectus is qualified in its
entirety by such other information.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus, which means
that we can disclose important information by referring you to another document filed separately
with the SEC. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below which have been
filed by us with the SEC and any future filings with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act:
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Our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004; |
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Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005; |
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Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005; |
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Our current report on Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2005; |
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Our current report on Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2005; |
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Our current report on Form 8-K filed on August 1, 2005, as amended; |
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Our current report on Form 8-K filed on June 30, 2005, as amended; |
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Our current report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2005, as amended; and |
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The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A
filed on January 22, 2004, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating such description. |
We are also incorporating by reference the information contained in all other documents that
we file with the SEC between the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part and the time that all of the securities registered under the registration
statement are sold. The information contained in any of these documents will be considered part of
this prospectus from the date these documents are filed.
38
If you would like to receive a copy of any document incorporated by reference into this
prospectus (which will not include any of the exhibits to the document other than those exhibits
that are themselves specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus), you should call
or write to us at 13625 California Street, Suite 310, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 (402) 391-0010. We
will provide these documents, without charge, by first class mail. You can also view these
documents on our website at www.gptrust.com.
We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about us that
is different from, or in addition to, that contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials
that have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Therefore, if anyone does give you
information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to
exchange or sell, or solicitations of offers to exchange or purchase, the securities offered by
this document or the solicitation of proxies is unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is
unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this prospectus does not
extend to you. The information contained in this prospectus speaks only as of the date of this
document, unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC utilizing
a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell the securities described in
this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description
of the securities that we may offer. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set
forth in the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For
additional information regarding us and the offered securities, please refer to the registration
statement. Each time we sell securities, we will file a prospectus supplement with the SEC that
will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. You should read both this
prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the
heading Where You Can Find More Information.
In this prospectus and in the accompanying prospectus supplement, except as specified
otherwise or unless the context requires otherwise, we, us, our, the Company and GPT
refer to Government Properties Trust, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Blackwell
Sanders Peper Martin LLP, Omaha, Nebraska. In addition, the description of federal income tax
consequences contained in the section of the prospectus entitled Material United States Federal
Income Tax Consequences is based on the opinion of Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Government Properties Trust, Inc. appearing in
Government Properties Trust, Inc.s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2004,
including the schedule appearing therein, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon included therein, and
incorporated herein by reference. The statement of revenue and certain expenses of 1201 Lloyd
Boulevard Portland, Oregon for the year ended December 31, 2004, included in our Current Report
on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2005 (amended on May 3,
2005) and the statements of revenue and certain expenses of
IRS Computer Center Annex, Martinsburg, West Virginia and DEA Special Testing Lab Sterling,
Virginia for the year ended December 31, 2004, both included in
our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed
39
on
August 1, 2005 and June 30, 2005, respectively, (both
amended on August 30, 2005) have also been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, as set forth in their
reports thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial
statements and schedule are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the
reports of Ernst & Young LLP
pertaining to such financial statements and schedule given on the authority of such firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
40
PART II
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the expenses to be borne by the registrant in connection with
the offerings described in this registration statement. All such expenses other than the SEC
registration fee are estimates.
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SEC registration fee |
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23,540 |
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Legal fees and expenses |
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7,500 |
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Accounting fees and expenses |
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4,000 |
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Printing |
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2,500 |
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Miscellaneous |
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2,500 |
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Total |
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$ |
40,040 |
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Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
The Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL) requires a corporation (unless its charter
provides otherwise, which our companys charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who
has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or
she is made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a
corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against
judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees,
actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made a party by
reason of their service in those capacities unless it is established that:
an act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the
proceeding and
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was committed in bad faith; or |
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was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; or |
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the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money,
property or services; or |
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in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to
believe that the act or omission was unlawful. |
However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a
suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that
personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and
then only for expenses. The termination of any proceeding by conviction or upon a plea of nolo
contendre or its equivalent or an entry of an order of probation prior to judgment creates a
rebuttable presumption that the director or officer did not meet the requisite standard of conduct
required for permitted indemnification. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order or
settlement, however, does not create a presumption that the director or officer did not meet the
requisite standard of conduct for permitted indemnification.
II-1
In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or
officer upon the corporations receipt of:
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a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has
met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and |
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a written undertaking by the director or on the directors behalf to repay the amount
paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the director did
not meet the standard of conduct. |
The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the
liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages
except for liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money,
property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being
material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision which eliminates such
liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
Our bylaws obligate us, to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify any
director or former director and to pay or reimburse, in advance of final disposition of a
proceeding, reasonable expenses incurred by a director or former director, if such person is or is
threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of his or her position as a director. In
addition, our bylaws permit us, to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law, to similarly
provide indemnification and reimbursement of reasonable expenses to:
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any present or former officer, employee or agent who is made a party to the proceeding
by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or |
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any person who serves or has served at our request as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation or entity. |
Our bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a
predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our
company or a predecessor of our company.
We have entered into and intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors
and executive officers which will require, among other things, that we indemnify our directors and
executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law, and advance to such persons all
related expenses, subject to reimbursement if it is subsequently determined that indemnification is
not permitted. Under these agreements, we must also indemnify and advance all expenses incurred by
such persons seeking to enforce their rights under the indemnification agreement. Although the form
of indemnification agreement offers substantially the same scope of coverage afforded by law, it
provides greater assurance to the registrants directors and executive officers and such other
persons that indemnification will be available.
Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons
controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, we have been
informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, this indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and is therefore
unenforceable.
We intend to carry liability insurance for the benefit of our directors and executive. This
insurance will generally cover claims made against our directors and officers based on their
actions and
II-2
omissions in connection with the carrying out of our business affairs, including claims based
on state or federal securities laws.
Item 16. Exhibits
See exhibit index immediately preceding the exhibits.
Item 17. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement;
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in this registration statement; notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule
424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation
of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material
change to such information in this registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) do not apply if the information required to
be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in the periodic reports
filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated
by reference in this registration statement.
(2) That, for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being offered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-3
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by the controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement
in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant
pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be
part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Omaha, State of Nebraska on
the 1st day of November,
2005.
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GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES TRUST, INC. |
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By
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/s/ Thomas D. Peschio |
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Thomas D. Peschio |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
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Signature |
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/s/ Thomas D. Peschio
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President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
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November 1, 2005 |
Thomas D. Peschio |
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/s/ Nancy D. Olson
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Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
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November 1, 2005 |
Nancy D. Olson |
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*
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Chairman and Director
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November 1, 2005 |
Jerry D. Bringard |
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*
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Director
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November 1, 2005 |
Robert M. Ames |
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*
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Director
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November 1, 2005 |
Philip S. Cottone |
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*
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Director
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November 1, 2005 |
Robert A. Peck |
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*
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Director
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November 1, 2005 |
Richard A. Schwachter |
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* By: |
/s/ Thomas D. Peschio
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Attorney-in-fact |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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EXHIBIT |
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DESCRIPTION |
1.1*
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Form of Underwriting Agreement |
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3.1
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Charter (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to our
registration statement on Form S-11 (file no. 333-109565)) |
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3.2
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Bylaws (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.2 to our
registration statement on Form S-11 (file no. 333-109565)) |
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5.1*
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Opinion and Consent of Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP |
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8.1
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Tax Opinion and Consent of Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP |
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12.1
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Statement of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
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23.1
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Consent of Ernst & Young LLP |
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24.1
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Power of Attorney for Robert M. Ames |
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24.2
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Power of Attorney for Jerry D. Bringard |
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24.3
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Power of Attorney for Philip S. Cottone |
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24.4
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Power of Attorney for Robert A. Peck |
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24.5
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Power of Attorney for Thomas D. Peschio |
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24.6
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Power of Attorney for Richard A. Schwachter |
* |
To be filed as an amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to
an Exchange Act report of the registrant and incorporated by reference herein. |