UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
For the fiscal year ended
OR
For the transition period from __________ to __________
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
|
|
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:
Large accelerated filer |
☐ |
|
☒ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-accelerated filer |
☐ |
|
Smaller reporting company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No
Based on the closing sales price on June 30, 2022 of $28.79 per share, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock $.06 par value was
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
CEDAR REALTY TRUST, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 and 2. |
|
|
4 |
|
1A. |
|
|
9 |
|
1B. |
|
|
20 |
|
3. |
|
|
20 |
|
4. |
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. |
|
|
20 |
|
6. |
|
|
20 |
|
7. |
|
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
|
21 |
7A. |
|
|
32 |
|
8. |
|
|
33 |
|
9. |
|
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
|
68 |
9A. |
|
Controls and Procedures, including Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting |
|
68 |
9B. |
|
|
71 |
|
9C. |
|
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections |
|
71 |
|
|
|
|
|
10. |
|
|
71 |
|
11. |
|
|
74 |
|
12. |
|
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
|
80 |
13. |
|
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence |
|
80 |
14. |
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15. |
|
|
82 |
|
16. |
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
85 |
2
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or incorporated by reference herein are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company’s future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words “may”, “will”, “should”, “estimates”, “projects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “intends”, “future”, and words of similar import, or the negative thereof. Factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (i) the ability of the Company to successfully integrate its business with Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. following the completion of the Transactions (as defined herein); (ii) the risk that shareholder litigation in connection with the Transactions may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (iii) the ability and willingness of the Company’s tenants and other third parties to satisfy their obligations under their respective contractual arrangements with the Company; (iv) the loss or bankruptcy of the Company’s tenants; (v) the ability and willingness of the Company’s tenants to renew their leases with the Company upon expiration, the Company’s ability to re-lease its properties on the same or better terms in the event of nonrenewal or in the event the Company exercises its right to replace an existing tenant, and obligations the Company may incur in connection with the replacement of an existing tenant; (vi) financing risks, such as the Company’s inability to obtain new financing or refinancing on favorable terms as the result of market volatility or instability and increases in the Company’s borrowing costs as a result of changes in interest rates and other factors, including the phasing out of LIBOR; (vii) the impact of the Company’s leverage on operating performance; (viii) risks related to the market for retail space generally, including reductions in consumer spending, variability in retailer demand for leased space, adverse impact of e-commerce, ongoing consolidation in the retail sector and changes in economic conditions and consumer confidence; (ix) risks endemic to real estate and the real estate industry generally; (x) competitive risks; (xi) risks related to the geographic concentration of the Company’s properties in the Northeast; (xii) damage to the Company’s properties from catastrophic weather and other natural events, and the physical effects of climate change; (xiii) uninsured losses; (xiv) the Company’s ability and willingness to maintain its qualification as a REIT in light of economic, market, legal, tax and other considerations; and (xv) information technology security breaches. For further discussion of factors that could materially affect the outcome of forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in this report and other documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.
Except for ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. All of the above factors are difficult to predict, contain uncertainties that may materially affect the Company’s actual results and may be beyond the Company’s control. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company’s management to predict all such factors or to assess the effects of each factor on the Company’s business. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company’s current expectations will be realized.
3
Part I.
Items 1 and 2. Business and Properties
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that focuses on owning and operating income producing retail properties with a primary focus on grocery-anchored shopping centers primarily in the Northeast. At December 31, 2022, the Company owned a portfolio of 19 operating properties totaling 2.9 million square feet of gross leasable area (“GLA”). The portfolio was 86.2% leased and 82.3% occupied at December 31, 2022.
The Company, organized in 1984, has elected to be taxed as a REIT under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To qualify as a REIT under those provisions, the Company must have a preponderant percentage of its assets invested in, and income derived from, real estate and related sources. The Company’s objectives are to provide to its stockholders a professionally-managed real estate portfolio consisting primarily of grocery-anchored shopping centers in the Northeast, which will provide substantial cash flow, currently and in the future, taking into account an acceptable modest risk profile, and which will present opportunities for additional growth in income and capital appreciation.
The Company, organized as a Maryland corporation, has established an umbrella partnership structure through the contribution of substantially all of its assets to Cedar Realty Trust Partnership L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), organized as a limited partnership under the laws of Delaware. The Company conducts substantially all of its business through the Operating Partnership. Prior to consummation of the Transactions described below, the Operating Partnership had limited partners other than the Company, but their limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership were canceled pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as described below. At December 31, 2022, the Company owned a 100.0% general and limited partnership interest in, and was the sole general partner of, the Operating Partnership and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of WHLR (as defined herein).
Asset Sale and Merger
On March 2, 2022, the Company announced that following its previously announced review of strategic alternatives, it had entered into definitive agreements for the sale of the Company and its assets in a series of related all-cash transactions. Specifically, on March 2, 2022, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an asset purchase and sale agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with DRA Fund X-B LLC and KPR Centers LLC (together with their respective designees, the “Grocery-Anchored Purchasers”) for the sale of a portfolio of 33 grocery-anchored shopping centers for cash (the “Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale”). In addition, on March 2, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (“WHLR”) and certain of its affiliates pursuant to which, following closing of the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale, WHLR would acquire the balance of the Company’s shopping center assets by way of an all-cash merger transaction (the “Merger”).
The transactions contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement and the Merger Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Transactions”. The Transactions were unanimously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and were approved by the Company’s common stockholders at a special meeting of stockholders held on May 27, 2022.
On July 7, 2022, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries completed the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale and the East River Park and Senator Square redevelopment asset sales for total gross proceeds of approximately $879 million, including the assumed debt. There were no material relationships among the Company, the Grocery-Anchored Purchasers, or any of their respective affiliates. On August 22, 2022, the Company completed the Merger. Each outstanding share of common stock of the Company and outstanding common unit of the Operating Partnership held by persons other than the Company immediately prior to the Merger were canceled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment of $9.48 per share or unit. As a result of the Merger, WHLR acquired all of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock, which ceased to be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). The Company's outstanding 7.25% Series B Preferred Stock and 6.50% Series C Preferred Stock remain outstanding and continue to trade on the NYSE. In addition, prior to consummation of the Merger, the Company's Board of Directors declared a special dividend on shares of the Company's outstanding common stock and OP Units of $19.52 per share, payable to holders of record of the Company's common stock and OP Units at the close of business on August 19, 2022.
The Company derives substantially all of its revenues from rents and operating expense reimbursements received pursuant to long-term leases. The Company’s operating results therefore depend on the ability of its tenants to make the payments required by the terms of their leases. The Company focuses its investment activities on grocery-anchored shopping centers. The Company believes that, because of the need of consumers to purchase food and other staple goods and services generally available at such centers, its type of “necessities-based” properties should provide relatively stable revenue flows even during difficult economic times.
4
The Company, the Operating Partnership, their subsidiaries and affiliated partnerships are separate legal entities. For ease of reference, the terms “we”, “our”, “us”, “Company” and “Operating Partnership” (including their respective subsidiaries and affiliates) refer to the business and properties of all these entities, unless the context otherwise requires. The Company’s investor relations website can be accessed under the "INVESTORS" tab at www.whlr.us, where a copy of the Company’s Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) can be obtained free of charge. These SEC filings are added to the website as soon as reasonably practicable. Information on the website is not part of this Form 10-K.
5
Real Estate Summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annualized |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Base Rent |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
Leasable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Occupied |
|
|
Annualized |
|
|
per |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
of |
|
|
Square |
|
|
Percentage |
|
|
Percentage |
|
|
Square |
|
|
Base |
|
|
Occupied |
|
|||||||
Property |
|
Location |
|
Tenants |
|
|
Feet |
|
|
Leased (1) |
|
|
Occupied |
|
|
Feet |
|
|
Rent (2) |
|
|
Square Foot |
|
|||||||
Brickyard Plaza |
|
Berlin, CT |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
228,000 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
99.1 |
% |
|
|
226,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,027,000 |
|
|
$ |
8.98 |
|
Carll's Corner |
|
Bridgeton, NJ |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
129,000 |
|
|
|
27.5 |
% |
|
|
20.9 |
% |
|
|
27,000 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
14.63 |
|
Coliseum Marketplace |
|
Hampton, VA |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
107,000 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
45.8 |
% |
|
|
49,000 |
|
|
|
610,000 |
|
|
|
12.46 |
|
Fairview Commons |
|
New Cumberland, PA |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
53,000 |
|
|
|
77.5 |
% |
|
|
77.4 |
% |
|
|
41,000 |
|
|
|
448,000 |
|
|
|
10.91 |
|
Fieldstone Marketplace |
|
New Bedford, MA |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
194,000 |
|
|
|
85.5 |
% |
|
|
71.6 |
% |
|
|
139,000 |
|
|
|
1,652,000 |
|
|
|
11.87 |
|
Gold Star Plaza |
|
Shenandoah, PA |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
72,000 |
|
|
|
97.8 |
% |
|
|
97.2 |
% |
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
641,000 |
|
|
|
9.14 |
|
Golden Triangle |
|
Lancaster, PA |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
203,000 |
|
|
|
98.4 |
% |
|
|
98.5 |
% |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
2,609,000 |
|
|
|
13.07 |
|
Hamburg Square |
|
Hamburg, PA |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
102,000 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
102,000 |
|
|
|
684,000 |
|
|
|
6.70 |
|
Kings Plaza |
|
New Bedford, MA |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
168,000 |
|
|
|
82.2 |
% |
|
|
82.1 |
% |
|
|
138,000 |
|
|
|
1,227,000 |
|
|
|
8.87 |
|
Oakland Commons |
|
Bristol, CT |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
574,000 |
|
|
|
6.37 |
|
Oregon Avenue |
|
Philadelphia, PA |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
5.0 |
% |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
34.21 |
|
Patuxent Crossing |
|
California, MD |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
264,000 |
|
|
|
84.3 |
% |
|
|
84.5 |
% |
|
|
223,000 |
|
|
|
2,254,000 |
|
|
|
10.12 |
|
Pine Grove Plaza |
|
Brown Mills, NJ |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
79,000 |
|
|
|
81.1 |
% |
|
|
49.4 |
% |
|
|
39,000 |
|
|
|
573,000 |
|
|
|
14.56 |
|
South Philadelphia |
|
Philadelphia, PA |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
222,000 |
|
|
|
78.9 |
% |
|
|
71.6 |
% |
|
|
159,000 |
|
|
|
1,445,000 |
|
|
|
9.08 |
|
Southington Center |
|
Southington, CT |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
156,000 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
98.7 |
% |
|
|
154,000 |
|
|
|
1,172,000 |
|
|
|
7.64 |
|
Timpany Plaza |
|
Gardner, MA |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
183,000 |
|
|
|
65.0 |
% |
|
|
65.0 |
% |
|
|
119,000 |
|
|
|
1,167,000 |
|
|
|
9.81 |
|
Trexler Mall |
|
Trexlertown, PA |
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
337,000 |
|
|
|
98.2 |
% |
|
|
98.2 |
% |
|
|
331,000 |
|
|
|
3,670,000 |
|
|
|
11.10 |
|
Washington Center Shoppes |
|
Sewell, NJ |
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
157,000 |
|
|
|
94.0 |
% |
|
|
94.3 |
% |
|
|
148,000 |
|
|
|
1,810,000 |
|
|
|
12.24 |
|
Webster Commons |
|
Webster, MA |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
99,000 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
99,000 |
|
|
|
1,241,000 |
|
|
|
12.54 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
233 |
|
|
|
2,863,000 |
|
|
|
86.2 |
% |
|
|
82.3 |
% |
|
|
2,355,000 |
|
|
$ |
24,244,000 |
|
|
$ |
10.30 |
|
6
Major Tenants
The following table sets forth information regarding the ten largest tenants in our operating portfolio based on annualized base rent as of December 31, 2022:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
|
|
Percent |
|
|
Annualized |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Base Rent |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Annualized |
|
|
Annualized |
|
|
Occupied |
|
|
Leasable |
|
|
per Occupied |
|
|||||
Tenants |
|
Category |
|
Base Rent |
|
|
Base Rent |
|
|
Square Feet |
|
|
Square Feet |
|
|
Square Foot |
|
|||||
TJX Companies (1) |
|
Discount Retailer |
|
$ |
1,162,000 |
|
|
|
4.8 |
% |
|
|
133,000 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
% |
|
$ |
8.74 |
|
Kohl's |
|
Discount Retailer |
|
|
1,031,000 |
|
|
|
4.2 |
% |
|
|
147,000 |
|
|
|
5.1 |
% |
|
|
7.01 |
|
Shaw's |
|
Grocery |
|
|
925,000 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
% |
|
|
68,000 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
% |
|
|
13.60 |
|
Dollar Tree (2) |
|
Discount Retailer |
|
|
845,000 |
|
|
|
3.5 |
% |
|
|
96,000 |
|
|
|
3.4 |
% |
|
|
8.80 |
|
Walmart |
|
Grocery |
|
|
843,000 |
|
|
|
3.5 |
% |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
5.2 |
% |
|
|
5.62 |
|
Redner's |
|
Grocery |
|
|
747,000 |
|
|
|
3.1 |
% |
|
|
106,000 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
% |
|
|
7.05 |
|
Shoprite |
|
Grocery |
|
|
741,000 |
|
|
|
3.1 |
% |
|
|
54,000 |
|
|
|
1.9 |
% |
|
|
13.72 |
|
Home Depot |
|
Home Improvement |
|
|
700,000 |
|
|
|
2.9 |
% |
|
|
103,000 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
|
6.80 |
|
Lehigh Valley Health |
|
Medical |
|
|
673,000 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
% |
|
|
33,000 |
|
|
|
1.2 |
% |
|
|
20.39 |
|
Urban Air |
|
Entertainment |
|
|
570,000 |
|
|
|
2.3 |
% |
|
|
61,000 |
|
|
|
2.1 |
% |
|
|
9.34 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
$ |
8,237,000 |
|
|
|
34.0 |
% |
|
|
951,000 |
|
|
|
33.2 |
% |
|
$ |
8.66 |
|
Lease Expirations
The following table sets forth information with respect to the lease expirations of our properties as of December 31, 2022:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
% of Total |
|
|
Occupied |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expiring |
|
|||||||
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Expiring |
|
|
Expiring |
|
|
Square |
|
|
Expiring |
|
|
% of Total |
|
|
Base Rent |
|
|||||||
|
|
Expiring |
|
|
Square |
|
|
Square |
|
|
Footage |
|
|
Annualized |
|
|
Annualized |
|
|
per Occupied |
|
|||||||
Lease Expiration Period |
|
Leases |
|
|
Footage |
|
|
Footage |
|
|
Expiring |
|
|
Base Rent |
|
|
Base Rent |
|
|
Square Foot |
|
|||||||
Available |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
508,000 |
|
|
|
17.7 |
% |
|
n/a |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
n/a |
|
||||
Month-To-Month |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
43,000 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
% |
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
563,000 |
|
|
|
2.3 |
% |
|
$ |
13.09 |
|
2023 |
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
104,000 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
|
4.4 |
% |
|
|
1,731,000 |
|
|
|
7.1 |
% |
|
|
16.64 |
|
2024 |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
217,000 |
|
|
|
7.6 |
% |
|
|
9.2 |
% |
|
|
3,000,000 |
|
|
|
12.4 |
% |
|
|
13.82 |
|
2025 |
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
354,000 |
|
|
|
12.4 |
% |
|
|
15.0 |
% |
|
|
3,016,000 |
|
|
|
12.4 |
% |
|
|
8.52 |
|
2026 |
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
106,000 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
% |
|
|
4.5 |
% |
|
|
1,642,000 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
% |
|
|
15.49 |
|
2027 |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
270,000 |
|
|
|
9.4 |
% |
|
|
11.5 |
% |
|
|
3,030,000 |
|
|
|
12.5 |
% |
|
|
11.22 |
|
2028 |
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
457,000 |
|
|
|
16.0 |
% |
|
|
19.4 |
% |
|
|
4,111,000 |
|
|
|
17.0 |
% |
|
|
9.00 |
|
2029 |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
8.7 |
% |
|
|
10.6 |
% |
|
|
2,201,000 |
|
|
|
9.1 |
% |
|
|
8.80 |
|
2030 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
% |
|
|
6.6 |
% |
|
|
917,000 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
% |
|
|
5.92 |
|
2031 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
77,000 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
% |
|
|
3.3 |
% |
|
|
900,000 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
% |
|
|
11.69 |
|
2032 & thereafter |
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
322,000 |
|
|
|
11.3 |
% |
|
|
13.7 |
% |
|
|
3,133,000 |
|
|
|
12.9 |
% |
|
|
9.73 |
|
Total |
|
|
233 |
|
|
|
2,863,000 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
24,244,000 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
10.30 |
|
The Company’s Properties
The terms of the Company’s retail leases generally vary from tenancies at will to 25 years, excluding renewal options. Anchor tenant leases are typically for 10 to 25 years, with one or more renewal options available to the lessee upon expiration of the initial lease term. By contrast, smaller store leases are typically negotiated for five-year terms. The longer terms of major tenant leases serve to protect the Company against significant vacancies and to assure the presence of strong tenants which draw consumers to its centers. The shorter terms of smaller store leases allow the Company under appropriate circumstances to adjust rental rates periodically and, where possible, to upgrade or adjust the overall tenant mix.
Most leases contain provisions requiring tenants to pay their pro rata share of real estate taxes, insurance and certain operating costs. Some leases also provide that tenants pay percentage rent based upon sales volume generally in excess of certain negotiated minimums.
7
Excluding properties held for sale and properties included in discontinued operations, there were no tenants that leased an aggregate of more than 10% of GLA at December 31, 2022, or accounted for an aggregate of more than 10% of the Company’s total revenues during 2022.
Executive Offices
The Company’s executive offices are located at 2529 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Human Capital Management
All individuals that provide services to the Company are employees of WHLR and participate in WHLR's compensation, benefits, professional development and other programs.
Governmental Regulations
Compliance with various governmental regulations has an impact on our business, including our capital expenditures, earnings and competitive position, which can be material. We incur costs to monitor and take actions to comply with governmental regulations that are applicable to our business, which include, among others, federal securities laws and regulations, applicable stock exchange requirements, REIT and other tax laws and regulations, environmental and health and safety laws and regulations, local zoning, usage and other regulations relating to real property, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. See “Item 1A – Risk Factors” for a discussion of material risks to us, including, to the extent material, to our competitive position, relating to governmental regulations, and see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” together with our consolidated financial statements, including the related notes included therein, for a discussion of material information relevant to an assessment of our financial condition and results of operations, including, to the extent material, the effects that compliance with governmental regulations may have upon our capital expenditures and earnings.
Competition
The Company believes that competition for the acquisition and operation of grocery-anchored shopping centers is highly fragmented. It faces competition from institutional investors, public and private REITs, owner‑operators engaged in the acquisition, ownership, redevelopment and leasing of shopping centers, as well as from numerous local, regional and national real estate developers and owners in each of its markets. It also faces competition in leasing available space at its properties to prospective tenants. Competition for tenants varies depending upon the characteristics of each local market in which the Company owns and manages properties. The Company believes that the principal competitive factors in attracting tenants in its market are location, price and other lease terms, the presence of anchor tenants, the mix, quality and sales results of other tenants, and maintenance, appearance, access and traffic patterns of its properties.
Environmental Matters
Under various federal, state, and local laws, ordinances and regulations, an owner or operator of real estate may be required to investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances or other contaminants at property owned, leased, managed or otherwise operated by such person, and may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, and for investigation and cleanup costs in connection with such contamination. The cost of investigation, remediation or removal of such substances may be substantial, and the presence of such substances, or the failure to properly remediate such conditions, may adversely affect the owner’s, lessor’s or operator’s ability to sell or rent such property or to arrange financing using such property as collateral. In connection with the ownership, operation, redevelopment and management of real estate, the Company may potentially become liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as certain other related costs and liabilities, including governmental fines and injuries to persons and/or property. Generally, the Company’s tenants must comply with environmental laws and meet any remediation requirements. In addition, leases typically impose obligations on tenants to indemnify the Company from any compliance costs the Company may incur as a result of environmental conditions on the property caused by the tenant. However, if a lease does not require compliance and/or indemnification, or if a tenant fails to or cannot comply, the Company could be forced to pay these costs.
The Company believes that environmental studies conducted at the time of acquisition with respect to its properties did not reveal any material environmental liabilities for which the Company is responsible and that would have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or liquidity. However, no assurances can be given that existing environmental studies with respect to any of the properties reveal all environmental liabilities, that any prior owner of or tenant at a property did not create a material environmental condition not known to the Company, or that a material environmental condition does not otherwise exist at any one or more of its
8
properties. If a material environmental condition does in fact exist, it could have an adverse impact upon the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
Climate
Some of our properties could be subject to potential natural or other disasters. In addition, we may acquire properties that are located in areas that are subject to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and droughts. Properties could also be affected by increases in the frequency or severity of tornadoes, hurricanes or other storms, whether such increases are caused by global climate changes or other factors. The occurrence of natural disasters or severe weather conditions can increase investment costs to repair or replace damaged properties, increase operating costs, increase future property insurance costs, and/or negatively impact the tenant demand for lease space. If insurance is unavailable to us, or is unavailable on acceptable terms, or if our insurance is not adequate to cover business interruption or losses from such events, our earnings, liquidity and/or capital resources could be adversely affected. While several of our properties are located in areas that have experienced hurricanes, tornadoes, severe rain storms or snow during the past three years, there has been no substantial damage or change in operations related to the weather events.
Information Technology and Cyber Security
The Company depends on the proper functioning, availability and security of its information systems, including financial, data processing, communications and operating systems. Several information systems are software applications provided by third parties. Our business is at risk from and may be impacted by cybersecurity attacks, including attempts to gain unauthorized access to our confidential data, and other electronic security breaches. Such cyber attacks can range from individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to our information technology systems to more sophisticated security threats. While we employ a number of measures to prevent, detect and mitigate these threats, there is no guarantee such efforts will be successful in preventing a cyber attack. A cybersecurity attack could compromise the confidential information of our employees, tenants and vendors. A successful attack could disrupt and otherwise adversely affect our business operations.
The Company has incorporated cybersecurity coverage in its insurance policies; however, there is no assurance that the insurance the Company maintains will cover all cybersecurity breaches or that policy limits will be sufficient to cover all related losses. The Company is not aware of any material information security breaches over the last three years.
Insurance
The Company carries comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage, business interruption and rental loss insurance covering all of the properties in its portfolio under an insurance policy, in addition to other coverages, such as trademark and pollution coverage that may be appropriate for certain of its properties. Additionally, the Company carries a directors’, officers’, entity and employment practices liability insurance policy that covers such claims made against the Company and its directors and officers. The Company believes the policy specifications and insured limits are appropriate and adequate for its properties given the relative risk of loss, the cost of the coverage and industry practice; however, its insurance coverage may not be sufficient to fully cover its losses.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following section sets forth material risks that may adversely affect our business and financial performance. The following risks, as well as the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes, should be considered in evaluating us and our business. These risk factors are not exhaustive, and new risks may emerge from time to time. Investors should also refer to our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K for future periods for material updates to the risks below.
Risks Related to Our Business and Properties
Our properties consist primarily of grocery-anchored shopping centers. Our performance therefore is linked to economic conditions in the market for retail space generally.
Our properties consist primarily of grocery-anchored shopping centers, and our performance therefore is linked to economic conditions in the market for retail space generally. This means that we are subject to the risks that affect the retail environment generally, including the levels of consumer spending, the willingness of retailers to lease space in our shopping centers, tenant bankruptcies, the impact of e-commerce on the demand for retail space, ongoing consolidation in the retail sector, and changes in economic conditions and consumer confidence. A downturn in the U.S. economy and reduced consumer spending due to sustained levels of high inflation,
9
unemployment or other factors could (i) negatively impact our tenants’ ability to meet their lease obligations due to poor operating results, lack of liquidity or other reasons, and therefore decrease the revenue generated by our properties and/or the value of our properties, (ii) affect our ability to lease space and negotiate and maintain favorable rents, and (iii) reduce the demand for leasing space in our shopping centers, which could result in a decline in our occupancy percentage and reduction in rental revenues.
Actual or perceived threats associated with epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have had and could have in the future, a material adverse effect on our and our tenants’ businesses, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, liquidity and ability to satisfy debt service obligations.
Epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, that impact economic and market conditions, and result in government measures taken to alleviate their impact, including mandatory business shutdowns and stay-at-home orders, have had and could have in the future a material adverse effect on our and our tenants’ businesses, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and ability to access capital markets and satisfy debt service obligations.
Our retail tenants depend on in-person interactions with their customers to generate unit-level profitability, and the COVID-19 pandemic and related governmental imposed restrictions decreased customer willingness to frequent our tenants’ businesses, which adversely affected their ability to maintain profitability and make timely rental payments to us under their leases or to otherwise seek lease modifications or to declare bankruptcy.
The conditions caused by the pandemic continue to be unpredictable, including as a result of new variants and governmental responses or restrictions and changes in behavior as a result, which continue to present risks and uncertainties with respect to our and our tenants’ business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity and ability to satisfy debt service obligations.
The geographic concentration of our properties in the Northeast exposes us to greater economic risks than if the distribution of our properties encompassed a broader region.
Our performance depends on the economic conditions in markets where our properties are geographically concentrated. Our properties are located largely in the Northeast, which exposes us to greater economic risks than if our properties were more diversely located (in particular, 7 of our properties are located in Pennsylvania). Any adverse economic or real estate developments resulting from the regulatory environment, business climate, weather or other conditions in such regions could have an adverse impact on our business.
Anchor tenants are crucial to the success of our retail properties and vacated anchor space directly and indirectly affects our rental revenues.
Our properties consist primarily of grocery-anchored shopping centers. Anchor tenants pay a significant portion of the total rents at a property and contribute to the success of other tenants by drawing large numbers of customers to a property. Vacated anchor space not only directly reduces rental revenues, but, if not re-tenanted with a tenant with comparable consumer attraction, could adversely affect the rest of the property primarily through the loss of customer drawing power. In addition, in the event that certain anchor tenants cease to occupy a property, such an action results in a significant number of other tenants having the contractual right to terminate their leases, or pay a reduced rent based on a percentage of the tenant's sales, at the affected property, which could adversely affect the future income from such property, also known as “co-tenancy.”
Our performance and value are subject to risks associated with real estate assets and with the real estate industry.
Our performance and value are subject to risks associated with real estate assets and with the real estate industry, including, among other things, risks related to adverse changes in national, regional and local economic and market conditions. Our continued ability to make expected distributions to our stockholders depends on our ability to generate sufficient revenues to meet operating expenses, future debt service and capital expenditure requirements. Events and conditions generally applicable to owners and operators of real property that are beyond our control may decrease cash available for distribution and the value of our properties.
These events and conditions include, but may not be limited to, the following:
10
In the event of default by a tenant, we may experience delays in enforcing, as well as incur substantial costs to enforce, our rights as a landlord. In addition, costs associated with our operations, such as real estate and personal property taxes, insurance, and mortgage payments, generally are not reduced even as occupancy or rental rates decrease, tenants fail to pay base and additional rent or other circumstances cause a reduction in income. As a result, our financial performance, cash flow from operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders may be adversely affected.
As substantially all of our revenue is derived from rental income, failure of tenants to pay rent or delays in arranging leases and occupancy at our properties could seriously harm our operating results and financial condition.
Substantially all of our revenue is derived from rental income from our properties. Downturns in the economy generally or in our tenants’ business may weaken our tenants’ financial condition and result in, among other things, delayed lease commencement, failure to make rental payments when due, non-extension of leases upon expiration, insolvency or bankruptcy. Any leasing delays, failure to make rental or other payments when due, or tenant bankruptcies, could result in the termination of tenants’ leases, which would have a negative impact on our operating results. In addition, adverse market and economic conditions and competition may impede our ability to renew leases or re-let space as leases expire, which could harm our business and operating results.
Our business may be seriously harmed if a major tenant fails to renew its lease(s) or vacates one or more properties and prevents us from re-leasing such premises by continuing to pay base rent for the balance of the lease terms. In addition, the loss of such a major tenant could result in lease terminations or reductions in rent by other tenants at the affected properties, as provided in their respective leases. Excluding properties held for sale and properties included in discontinued operations, no tenant leased more than 10% of GLA at December 31, 2022 or contributed more than 10% of total revenues during 2022.
We may be restricted from re-leasing space based on existing exclusivity lease provisions with some of our tenants. In these cases, the leases contain provisions giving the tenant the exclusive right to sell particular types of merchandise or provide specific types of services within the particular retail center, which limits the ability of other tenants within that center to sell such merchandise or provide such services. When re-leasing space after a vacancy by one of such other tenants, such lease provisions may limit the number and types of prospective tenants for the vacant space. The failure to re-lease space or to re-lease space on satisfactory terms could harm operating results.
We face potential material adverse effects from tenant bankruptcies.
Any bankruptcy filings by, or relating to, one of our tenants or a lease guarantor would generally bar efforts by us to collect pre-bankruptcy debts from that tenant, or lease guarantor, unless we receive an order permitting us to do so from the bankruptcy court. A bankruptcy by a tenant or lease guarantor could delay efforts to collect past due balances, and could ultimately preclude full or, in fact, any collection of such sums. If a lease is affirmed by the tenant in bankruptcy, all pre-bankruptcy balances due under the lease must generally be paid in full. However, if a lease is disaffirmed by a tenant in bankruptcy, we would have only an unsecured claim for damages, which would be paid normally only to the extent that funds are available, and only in the same percentage as is paid to all other members of the same class of unsecured creditors. In addition, we may be unable to replace the tenant at current rental rates. It is possible, and indeed likely, that we would recover substantially less than, or in fact no portion of, the full value of any unsecured claims we hold, and would be required to write off any straight-line rent receivable recorded for such tenant, which may in turn harm our financial condition.
Technological developments may negatively impact our tenants and our business.
We may be adversely affected by developments in new technology, such as e-commerce, which may cause the business of certain of our tenants to become substantially diminished or functionally obsolete. As a result of such developments, our tenants may be unable to pay rent, become insolvent, file for bankruptcy protection, close their stores, or terminate their leases. The use of online shopping and
11
services platforms by consumers continues to gain in popularity and the migration toward new technology commerce is expected to continue.
Increases in online sales resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have also caused many retailers to sell products online on their websites with pick-ups at a store or warehouse or through deliveries, which may have the effect of decreasing the reported amount of their in-store sales and the amount of rent we are able to collect from them. With respect to grocer tenants, on-line grocery orders have become increasingly available, particularly in urban areas, but have not yet become a major factor affecting grocers in our portfolio. We cannot predict with certainty how growth in e-commerce, including same-day grocery delivery services, will impact the demand for space at our properties or how much revenue will be generated at “bricks and mortar” store locations in the future. If we are unable to anticipate and respond promptly to trends in retailer and consumer behavior, our occupancy levels and financial results could suffer.
Competition may impede our ability to renew leases or re‑let spaces as leases expire, as well as impede our further growth, which could harm our business and operating results.
We face competition from similarly positioned retail centers that may affect our ability to renew leases or re-let space as leases expire, as well as impede our further growth. Certain national retail chain bankruptcies and resulting store closings/lease disaffirmations have generally resulted in increased available retail space which, in turn, has resulted in increased competitive pressure to renew tenant leases upon expiration and to find new tenants for vacant space at such properties. In addition, any new competitive properties that are developed within the trade areas of our existing properties may result in increased competition for customer traffic and creditworthy tenants. Increased competition for tenants may require us to make tenant and/or capital improvements to properties beyond those that we would otherwise have planned to make. Any unbudgeted tenant and/or capital improvements we undertake may reduce cash that would otherwise be available for distributions to stockholders.
Additionally, competition from other well-capitalized real estate investors, including other REITs and institutional investment funds may operate to reduce the properties available for acquisition in our markets, reduce the rate of return on our properties, and interfere with our ability to attract and retain tenants. High barriers to entry in the Northeast due to mature economies, road patterns, density of population, restrictions on development, and high land costs, coupled with large numbers of often overlapping government jurisdictions, may make it difficult for us to continue to grow in these areas.
Mortgage debt obligations could expose us to the possibility of foreclosure, which could result in the loss of our investment in a property or group of properties subject to mortgage debt.
If a property or group of properties is mortgaged to secure payment of debt and we are unable to meet mortgage payments, the holder of the mortgage or lender could foreclose on the property, resulting in a loss of our investment. Alternatively, if we decide to sell assets in the current market to raise funds to repay matured debt, it is possible that these properties will be disposed of at a loss.
Our properties may be subject to impairment charges.
On a periodic basis, we assess whether there are any indicators that the value of our held-for-use real estate assets and other investments may be impaired. Held-for-use real estate assets are impaired only if the estimate of the aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by the property are less than the carrying value of the property. The estimate of cash flows considers factors such as expected future operating income, capital expenditures, trends and prospects, the effects of demand, tenant-operator performance, competition and other factors. If we are evaluating the potential sale of an asset or development alternatives, the future cash flow considerations include the most likely course of action at the balance sheet date based on current plans, intended holding periods and available market information including a market discount rate applied to the estimated future proceeds. We are required to make subjective assessments as to whether there are impairments in the value of our real estate assets and other investments. These assessments have a direct impact on our earnings because recording an impairment charge results in an immediate negative adjustment to earnings. There can be no assurance that we will not take additional charges in the future related to the impairment of our assets. Any future impairment could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period in which the charge is taken.
12
Our capital migration strategy entails various risks.
We may sell properties and reinvest those proceeds in the acquisition of higher quality properties in our target markets, the development and redevelopment of our properties, or use the proceeds to pay down debt. While we hope to minimize the dilutive effect of these sales on our earnings, in the near term the returns on the disposed assets are likely to exceed the returns we are able to achieve through the reinvestment of those proceeds. Also, in the event we are unable to sell these assets for amounts equal to or in excess of their current carrying values, we would be required to recognize an impairment charge or loss. Any such impairment charges or earnings dilution could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows and the market price of our publicly traded securities.
Commercial real estate investments are relatively illiquid.
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, such as general economic conditions, supply and demand, availability of financing, interest rates and other factors that are beyond our control. We cannot be certain that we will be able to sell any property for the price and other terms we seek, or that any price or other terms offered by a prospective purchaser would be acceptable to us. We also cannot estimate with certainty the length of time needed to find a willing purchaser and to complete the sale of a property. We may be required to expend funds to correct defects or to make improvements before a property can be sold. Factors that impede our ability to dispose of properties could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
We may be unable to integrate successfully with WHLR or realize expected synergies or other benefits of the Merger.
The successful integration of our business with WHLR has and will continue to require significant amounts of effort and resources. Despite our efforts, it is possible that the integration process could take longer than anticipated and/or could be more difficult than anticipated due to a number reason, including:
For these reasons, it is possible that the integration process could result in the distraction of management, the disruption of the ongoing business, or inconsistencies in the combined operations, any of which could adversely affect the ability of the Company and/or WHLR to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Merger, or could otherwise adversely affect the business and financial results of the Company and/or WHLR.
Risks Related to Our Liquidity and Financial Condition
The level of our indebtedness and any constraints on credit may impede our operating performance, and put us at a competitive disadvantage.
The level of our indebtedness may harm our business and operating results by (1) requiring us to use a substantial portion of our available liquidity to pay required debt service and/or repayments or establish additional reserves, which would reduce amounts available for distributions, (2) placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to competitors that have less debt or debt at more favorable terms, (3) making us more vulnerable to economic and industry downturns and reducing our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions, and (4) limiting our ability to borrow more money for operations or capital expenditures. In addition, increases in interest rates may impede our operating performance and put us at a competitive disadvantage. Further, payments of required debt service or amounts due at maturity, or creation of additional reserves under loan agreements, could adversely affect our liquidity. Our organizational documents do not limit the level or amount of debt that we may incur, nor do we have a policy limiting our debt to any particular level.
13
Any volatility or instability in the credit markets could adversely affect our ability to obtain new financing or to refinance existing indebtedness.
Any instability in the credit markets may negatively impact our ability to access debt financing, to arrange property‑specific financing or to refinance our existing debt as it matures on favorable terms or at all. As a result, we may be forced to seek potentially less attractive financings, including equity investments, on terms that may not be favorable to us. In doing so, we may be compelled to dilute the interests of existing stockholders.
We may be exposed to additional risks through potential hedging activities, including the risks that a counterparty will not perform and that the hedge will not yield the economic benefits we anticipate.
To manage our exposure to variable interest rate risk, we may use derivative instruments that involve risk, such as the risk that counterparties may fail to honor their obligations under these arrangements, or that these arrangements may not be effective in reducing our exposure to interest rate changes. There can be no assurance that hedging arrangements will qualify for hedge accounting or that hedging activities will have the desired beneficial impact on our results of operations. If we decide to terminate a hedging agreement, there could be significant costs and cash requirements involved to fulfill our obligations under the hedging agreement. Failure to effectively hedge against interest rate changes may adversely affect our results of operations.
In addition, under the REIT qualification provisions of the Code, income we could receive from certain hedging transactions may be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests. As a result of these rules, we may need to limit or entirely avoid otherwise advantageous hedging techniques.
The financial covenants in our loan agreements may restrict our operating or acquisition activities, which may harm our financial condition and operating results.
The financial covenants in our loan agreements may restrict our operating or acquisition activities, which may harm our financial condition and operating results. Our unsecured credit facilities and the mortgages on our properties contain customary negative covenants, such as those that limit our ability, without the prior consent of the lender, to sell or otherwise transfer any ownership interest, to further mortgage the applicable property, to enter into leases, or to discontinue insurance coverage. Our ability to borrow under our unsecured revolving credit facility is subject to compliance with these financial and other covenants, including restrictions on the maximum availability, which is based on the adjusted net operating income of designated unencumbered properties, the payment of dividends, and overall restrictions on the amount of indebtedness we can incur. If we breach covenants in our debt agreements, the lenders could declare a default and require us to repay the debt immediately and, if the debt is secured, take possession of the property or properties securing the loan.
BUSINESS CONTINUITY RISKS
Natural disasters and severe weather conditions could have an adverse impact on our cash flow and operating results.
Some of our properties could be subject to potential natural or other disasters. In addition, we may acquire properties that are located in areas which are subject to natural disasters. Properties could also be affected by increases in the frequency or severity of hurricanes or other storms, including any such increases caused by global climate change. The occurrence of natural disasters or severe weather conditions can increase investment costs to repair or replace damaged properties, increase operating costs, increase future property insurance costs, and/or negatively impact the tenant demand for lease space. If insurance is unavailable to us, or is unavailable on acceptable terms, or if our insurance is not adequate to cover business interruption or losses from such events, our earnings, liquidity and/or capital resources could be adversely affected.
Potential losses may not be covered by insurance.
Potential losses may not be covered by insurance. We carry comprehensive liability, fire, flood, extended coverage and rental loss insurance under a blanket policy covering all of our properties. We believe the policy specifications and insured limits are appropriate and adequate given the relative risk of loss, the cost of the coverage and industry practice. We do not carry insurance for losses related to war, nuclear accidents, and nuclear, biological and chemical occurrences from terrorist’s acts. Some of the insurance, such as those covering losses due to wind, floods and earthquakes, is subject to limitations involving large deductibles or co-payments and policy limits that may not be sufficient to cover losses. The availability of insurance coverage may decrease and the prices for insurance may increase as a consequence of significant losses incurred by the insurance industry and other factors outside our control. As a result, we may be unable to renew or duplicate our current insurance coverage in adequate amounts or at reasonable prices. In addition, insurance companies may no longer offer coverage against certain types of losses, such as losses due to terrorist acts and toxic mold, or, if offered,
14
the expense of obtaining these types of insurance may not be justified. Additionally, certain tenants have termination rights in respect of certain casualties. If we receive casualty proceeds, we may not be able to reinvest such proceeds profitably or at all, and we may be forced to recognize taxable gain on the affected property. If we experience losses that are uninsured or that exceed policy limits, we could lose the capital invested in the damaged properties as well as the anticipated future cash flows from those properties. Tenants may not properly maintain their insurance policies or have the ability to pay the deductibles associated with such policies. In addition, if the damaged properties are subject to recourse indebtedness, we would continue to be liable for the indebtedness, even if these properties were irreparably damaged.
Future terrorist attacks and shooting incidents could harm the demand for, and the value of, our properties.
Future terrorist attacks, such as the number of highly publicized terrorists acts and shootings that have occurred at domestic and international retail properties, could harm the demand for, and the value of, our properties. Terrorist attacks could directly impact the value of our properties through damage, destruction, loss or increased security costs, and the availability of insurance for such acts may be limited or may be subject to substantial cost increases. If such an incident were to occur at one of our properties, we may be subject to significant liability claims. While we attempt to mitigate this risk through insurance coverage and the employment of third party security services where we feel conditions warrant, we cannot guarantee that losses would not exceed applicable insurance coverages, thereby adversely affecting our results of operations and our ability to meet our obligations, including distributions to our stockholders. To the extent that our tenants are impacted by future attacks, their ability to continue to honor obligations under their existing leases could be adversely affected.
We face risks relating to cybersecurity attacks, loss of confidential information and other business disruptions.
We rely extensively on computer systems to manage our business and process transactions. Our business is at risk from and may be impacted by, cybersecurity attacks, including attempts to gain unauthorized access to our confidential data and other electronic security breaches. Such cyberattacks can range from individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to our information technology systems to more sophisticated security threats. While we employ a number of measures to prevent, detect and mitigate these threats including password protection, backup servers and annual penetration testing, there is no guarantee such efforts will be successful in preventing a cyberattack. Cybersecurity incidents, depending on their nature and scope, could potentially lead to the compromise of confidential information, improper use of our systems and networks, manipulation and destruction of data, system downtimes and operational disruptions, which in turn could adversely affect our reputation, competitiveness and results of operations. In the event a security breach or failure results in the disclosure of sensitive tenant or other third-party data, or the transmission of harmful/malicious code to third parties, we could be subject to liability or claims.
Furthermore, it is possible that our computer systems, including our back-up systems, could be subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, catastrophic events such as fires, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes, and intentional and inadvertent acts and errors by our employees. Any material interruption in our computer systems or issues with the ongoing implementation of newly adopted IT solutions may have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations or on our ability to timely and accurately report the results of our operations.
REGULATORY AND LITIGATION RISKS
We could incur significant costs related to government regulation and litigation over environmental matters and various other federal, state and local regulatory requirements.
All real property and the operations conducted on real property are subject to federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations relating to hazardous materials, environmental protection and human health and safety. Accordingly, we or our tenants may be required to investigate and clean up certain hazardous or toxic substances released on properties we own or operate, and also may be required to pay other related costs. Our leases typically impose obligations on our tenants to indemnify us for any compliance costs we may incur as a result of environmental conditions on the property caused by the tenant. If a tenant fails to or is unable to comply, we could be forced to pay these costs. If not addressed, environmental conditions could impair our ability to sell or re-lease the affected properties in the future, result in lower sales prices or rent payments, and restrict our ability to borrow funds using the affected properties as collateral.
We could incur significant costs related to government regulations and litigation over environmental matters. Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, an owner or operator of real estate may be required to investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances or other contaminants at property owned, leased, managed or otherwise operated by such person, and may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, and for investigation, remediation and cleanup costs in connection with such contamination. The cost of investigation, remediation or removal of such substances may be substantial, and the
15
presence of such substances, or the failure to properly remediate such conditions, may adversely affect the owner’s, lessor’s or operator’s ability to sell or rent such property or to arrange financing using such property as collateral. We may be liable without regard to whether we knew of, or were responsible for, the environmental contamination and with respect to properties we have acquired, whether the contamination occurred before or after the acquisition.
We believe environmental studies conducted at the time of acquisition with respect to all of our properties did not reveal any material environmental liabilities for which the Company is responsible, and we are unaware of any subsequent environmental matters that would have created a material liability. If one or more of our properties were not in compliance with federal, state and local laws, including environmental laws, we could be required to incur additional costs to bring the property into compliance. If we incur substantial costs to comply with such requirements, our business and operations could be adversely affected. If we fail to comply with such requirements, we might additionally incur governmental fines or private damage awards. There can be no assurance that existing requirements will not change or that future requirements will not require us to make significant unanticipated expenditures that will adversely impact our business and operations.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”) could require us to take remedial steps with respect to our properties.
Our existing properties, as well as properties we may acquire, may be required to comply with Title III of the ADA. We may incur significant costs to comply with the ADA, as amended, and similar laws, which require that all public accommodations meet federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons, and with various other federal, state and local regulatory requirements, such as state and local fire and life safety requirements.
We are subject to shareholder litigation arising out of the Merger with WHLR, which could result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability.
We and the members of our Board of Directors prior to the Merger were named as defendants in lawsuits brought by shareholders seeking remedies including compensatory damages, an injunction enjoining the Merger, compensatory damages and attorneys' fees. If a settlement or other resolution is not reached in the pending lawsuits in a reasonable amount of time, we may be subject to significant costs related to defense, indemnification and liability.
We could be subject to litigation that may negatively impact our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
From time to time, we may be a defendant in lawsuits and regulatory proceedings relating to our business. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation and regulatory proceedings, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of any such litigation or proceedings. We could experience a negative impact to our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations due to an unfavorable outcome.
Risks Related to Our Qualification as a REIT and other Tax Matters
If we fail to continue to qualify as a REIT, our distributions will not be deductible, and our income will be subject to taxation, thereby reducing earnings available for distribution.
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. We believe that we are qualified to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2022, and we expect to continue to qualify as a REIT for future taxable years, but we cannot assure that we have qualified, or will remain qualified, as a REIT. The REIT qualification requirements are extremely complex and official interpretations of the U.S. federal income tax laws governing qualification as a REIT are limited. Certain aspects of our REIT qualification are beyond our control. For example, decreased revenues attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic may make it more difficult for us to meet the gross income tests. Accordingly, we cannot be certain that we will be successful in operating so that we can remain qualified as a REIT. At any time, new laws, interpretations or court decisions may change the U.S. federal income tax laws or the U.S. federal income tax consequences of our qualification as a REIT.
If we do not continue to qualify as a REIT and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, our distributions will not be deductible, and our income will be subject to taxation, reducing earnings available for distribution. A REIT will generally not be subject to U.S federal and substantially all state and local income taxation to the extent that it distributes its REIT taxable income to its stockholders and complies with certain other requirements. In addition, we would be subject to a 4% excise tax if we fail to distribute sufficient income to meet a minimum distribution test that requires us to distribute in a calendar year at least the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain and 100% of our aggregate undistributed income from prior years. If we cease to qualify as a REIT, we will also be subject to state and local income taxes in certain of the jurisdictions in which our properties are located. In addition, tax laws would no longer require us to pay any distributions to our stockholders. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific
16
statutory provisions, we could not elect to be taxed as a REIT again for the four taxable years following the year during which we were disqualified. Even if we qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be subject to certain state and local income and franchise taxes and to U.S. federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed taxable income.
We intend to make distributions to stockholders to comply with the requirements of the Code. However, differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash could require us to sell assets, borrow funds or pay a portion of the dividend in common stock to meet the 90% distribution requirement of the Code. Certain assets generate substantial differences between taxable income and income recognized in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Such assets include, without limitation, operating real estate that was acquired through structures that may limit or completely eliminate the depreciation deduction that would otherwise be available for income tax purposes. As a result, the Code requirement to distribute a substantial portion of our otherwise net taxable income in order to maintain REIT status could cause us to (1) distribute amounts that could otherwise be used for future acquisitions, capital expenditures or repayment of debt, (2) borrow on unfavorable terms, (3) sell assets on unfavorable terms, or (4) if necessary, pay a portion of our common dividend in common stock. If we fail to obtain debt or equity capital in the future, it could limit our operations and our ability to grow, which could have a material adverse effect on the value of our common stock.
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities and limit our growth opportunities.
In order to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, our sources of income, the nature of our investments in commercial real estate and related assets, the amounts we distribute to stockholders and the ownership of our stock. We may also be required to make distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Thus, compliance with REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.
If our Operating Partnership was treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes prior to the Merger with WHLR, we would have ceased to qualify as a REIT.
We believe our Operating Partnership qualified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes from the time it began serving Cedar's operating partnership through the completion of the Merger with WHLR (The “Pre-Merger Partnership Period”), after which it became a disregarded entity for U.S federal income tax purposes. Assuming that it qualified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes during the Pre-Merger Partnership Period, our Operating Partnership generally would not have been subject to U.S. federal income tax on its income. Instead, its partners, including us, generally were required to pay tax on their respective allocable share of our operating partnership’s income. No assurance can be provided, however, that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) will not challenge our Operating Partnership’s status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes during the Pre-Merger Partnership Period, or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. For example, our Operating Partnership would have been treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it had been deemed to be a “publicly traded partnership” and less than 90% of its income consisted of “qualifying income” under the Code. If the IRS were successful in treating our Operating Partnership as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes during the Pre-Merger Partnership Period, we would have failed to meet the gross income tests and certain of the asset tests applicable to REITs and, therefore, would have ceased to qualify as a REIT, and our Operating Partnership would become subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax for the applicable portion of the Pre-Merger Partnership Period.
Our property taxes could increase due to property tax rate changes or reassessment, which could impact our cash flow.
Even if we qualify and maintain our status as a REIT, we are required to pay state and local property taxes on our properties. The property taxes on our properties may increase as property tax rates change or as our properties are assessed or reassessed by taxing authorities. Therefore, the amount of property taxes we pay in the future may increase substantially from what we have paid in the past and such increases may not be covered by tenants pursuant to our lease agreements. If the property taxes we pay increase, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share trading price of our common stock and our ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our stockholders may be negatively impacted.
Frequent asset sales could trigger adverse tax consequences.
Tax laws applicable to REITs generally require that we hold our properties for investment, rather than primarily for sale in the ordinary course of business, which may cause us to forego or defer sales of properties that otherwise would be in our best interest. Therefore, we may be unable to adjust our portfolio mix promptly in response to market conditions, which may adversely affect our financial position.
17
To qualify as a REIT, we must comply with requirements regarding our assets and our sources of income. We may be unable to comply with these requirements, ultimately jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT, or we may be subject to a 100% tax on any resultant gain if we sell assets that are treated as dealer property or inventory.
In addition, the sale of our properties may generate gains for tax purposes which, if not adequately deferred through “like kind exchanges” under Section 1031 of the Code or other tax deference strategies, could require us to pay income taxes or make additional distributions to our stockholders, thus reducing our capital available for investment in other properties, or if the proceeds of such sales are already invested in other properties, require us to obtain additional funds to pay such taxes or make such distributions, in either such case to permit us to maintain our status as a REIT.
The partnership audit rules may alter who bears the liability in the event any subsidiary partnership (such as our Operating Partnership) is audited and an adjustment is assessed.
In the case of an audit of a partnership for a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017, the partnership itself may be liable for a hypothetical increase in partner-level taxes (including interest and penalties) resulting from an adjustment of partnership tax items on audit, regardless of changes in the composition of the partners (or their relative ownership) between the year under audit and the year of the adjustment. Thus, for example, an audit assessment attributable to former partners of the Operating Partnership could be shifted to the partners in the year of the adjustment. The partnership audit rules also include an elective alternative method under which the additional taxes resulting from the adjustment are assessed from the affected partners (often referred to as a “push-out election”), subject to a higher rate of interest than otherwise would apply. The rules provide that when a push-out election causes a partner that is itself a partnership to be assessed with its share of such additional taxes from the adjustment, such partnership may cause such additional taxes to be pushed out to its own partners. In addition, applicable Treasury Regulations provide that a partnership may be able to request a modification of an adjustment that is based on deficiency dividends distributed by a partner that is a REIT. Many questions remain as to how the partnership audit rules will apply in practice, and it is not clear at this time what effect these rules will have on us. However, it is possible that a partnership in which we directly or indirectly invest may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, interest, and penalties in the event of a U.S. federal income tax audit as a result of these rules, and as a result could increase the U.S. federal income tax, interest, and/or penalties otherwise borne by us as a direct or indirect partner in any such partnership.
Failure to qualify as a domestically-controlled REIT could subject our non-U.S. stockholders to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
We will be a domestically-controlled REIT if, at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of our shares are held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. stockholders. Because our shares are publicly traded, we cannot guarantee that we will, in fact, be a domestically-controlled REIT. If we fail to qualify as a domestically-controlled REIT, our non-U.S. stockholders (other than “qualified shareholders”, “qualified foreign pension funds” or “qualified controlled entities”) that otherwise would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the gain attributable to a sale of our shares would be subject to taxation upon such a sale if either (a) the shares were not considered to be “regularly traded” under applicable Treasury regulations on an established securities market, such as the NYSE, or (b) the shares were considered to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market and the selling non-U.S. stockholder owned, actually or constructively, more than 10% in value of the outstanding shares at any time during specified testing periods. If gain on the sale or exchange of our shares was subject to taxation for these reasons, the non-U.S. stockholder would be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to any gain on a net basis in a manner similar to the taxation of a taxable U.S. stockholder, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals, and corporate non-U.S. stockholders may be subject to an additional branch profits tax.
We may choose to make distributions in our own stock, in which case you may be required to pay income taxes without receiving any cash dividends.
In connection with our qualification as a REIT, we are required to annually distribute to our stockholders dividends equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which does not equal net income, as calculated in accordance with GAAP), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain. In order to satisfy this requirement, we may make distributions that are payable in cash and/or shares of our stock (which could account for up to 90% of the aggregate amount of such distributions) at the election of each stockholder. Taxable stockholders receiving such distributions will be required to include the full amount of such distributions as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, U.S. stockholders may be required to pay income taxes with respect to such distributions in excess of the cash portion of the distribution received. Accordingly, U.S. stockholders receiving a distribution of our shares may be required to sell shares received in such distribution or may be required to sell other stock or assets owned by them, at a time that may be disadvantageous, in order to satisfy any tax imposed on such distribution. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock that it receives as part of the distribution in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount it must include in income with respect to the
18
distribution, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to certain non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such distribution, including in respect of all or a portion of such distribution that is payable in stock, by withholding or disposing of part of the shares included in such distribution and using the proceeds of such disposition to satisfy the withholding tax imposed. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividend income, such sale may put downward pressure on the market price of our stock.
Various tax aspects of such a taxable cash/stock distribution are uncertain and have not yet been addressed by the IRS. No assurance can be given that the IRS will not impose requirements in the future with respect to taxable cash/stock distributions, including on a retroactive basis, or assert that the requirements for such taxable cash/stock distributions have not been met.
Dividends paid by REITs generally do not qualify for reduced tax rates.
Generally, dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for reduced tax rates under the Code. For the calendar year 2022, the maximum federal individual tax rate for nonqualified dividends payable is 37.0%; qualified dividends from most C corporations received by individuals are subject to a reduced maximum federal rate of 20%. In addition to these rates, certain high income individuals may be subject to an additional 3.8% tax on certain investment income, including dividends and capital gains. As a REIT, our distributions to individual stockholders generally are not eligible for the reduced rates and are, consequently, taxed at ordinary income rates. Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, those U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates may deduct 20% of their dividends from REITs (excluding qualified dividend income and capital gains dividends). For those U.S. stockholders in the top marginal tax bracket of 37%, the deduction for REIT dividends yields an effective income tax rate of 29.6% (exclusive of the net investment income tax) on REIT dividends. The more favorable federal tax rates applicable to regular corporate dividends may result in the stock of REITs being perceived to be less attractive than the stock of corporations that pay dividends qualifying for reduced rates of tax, which may adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs.
Changes to the federal, state and municipality tax laws could have a significant negative impact on the overall economy, our tenants, and our business.
At any time, the U.S. federal income tax laws or regulations governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. We cannot predict when or if any new U.S. federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, or any amendment to any existing U.S. federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, will be adopted, promulgated or become effective and any such law, regulation or interpretation may take effect retroactively. A shortfall in tax revenues for states and municipalities in which we operate may lead to changes in state and municipalities tax laws. We and our stockholders could be adversely affected by any such change in, or any new, U.S. federal income tax law, regulation, or administrative interpretation.
Stockholders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors with respect to the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on their investment in our shares.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE
We may pay cash dividends on our common stock, subject to Maryland law.
If we are current on the payment of dividends to our holders of preferred stock, we may pay cash dividends on our common stock, subject to compliance with Maryland law and any restrictions contained in our indebtedness. Payment of cash dividends on our common stock may divert cash from other uses, such as investing in additional properties or repaying outstanding debt.
Our ability to pay dividends on our common stock is limited by the laws of the State of Maryland. Under applicable Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally may not make a distribution if, after giving effect to the distribution, the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business, or the value of the corporation’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus, unless the corporation’s charter provides otherwise, the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution. Accordingly, we generally may not make a distribution on our common stock if, after giving effect to the distribution, we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the usual course of business or our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus, unless the terms of such class or series provide otherwise, the amount that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of the holders of shares of any class or series of preferred stock then outstanding, if any, with preferences senior to those of our common stock.
19
Our Board of Directors may change our strategy without stockholder approval.
Our Board of Directors may change our strategy with respect to capitalization, investment, distributions and/or operations. Our Board of Directors may establish investment criteria or limitations as it deems appropriate, but currently does not limit the number or types of properties in which we may seek to invest or the concentration of investments in any one geographic region or the amount of development or redevelopment activity occurring across our portfolio. Although our Board of Directors has no present intention to revise or amend our strategies and policies, it may do so at any time without a vote by our stockholders. Accordingly, the results of decisions made by our Board of Directors and implemented by management could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations, including our ability to distribute cash to stockholders or qualify as a REIT.
The rights of stockholders to take action against our directors and officers are limited.
Maryland law provides that a director or officer has no liability in that capacity if he or she satisfies his or her duties to the corporation. As permitted by the MGCL, our charter limits the liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for monetary damages, except for liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or service, or a final judgment based upon a finding of active and deliberate dishonesty by the director or officer that was material to the cause of action adjudicated.
In addition, our charter and bylaws, as well as indemnification agreements that we have entered into with certain of our officers require us to indemnify our directors and officers, among others, for actions taken by them in those capacities to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. As a result, we and our stockholders may have more limited rights against our directors and officers than might otherwise exist for companies organized in other jurisdictions. Accordingly, in the event that actions taken in good faith by any of our directors or officers impede the performance of our company, your ability to recover damages from such director or officer will be limited. In addition, we will be obligated to advance the defense costs incurred by our directors and officers with indemnification agreements, and may, at the discretion of our Board of Directors, advance the defense costs incurred by our employees and other agents, in connection with legal proceedings.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our equity securities
The market value of our equity securities is subject to various factors that may cause significant fluctuations or volatility, including future offerings of debt securities.
As with other publicly traded securities, the market price of our publicly traded securities depends on various factors which may change from time-to time and are often out of our control, including market perception of our business and of retail REITs. In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by making additional offerings of debt or equity securities, including senior or subordinated notes and classes of preferred stock. Offerings of other equity securities may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders. We are not required to offer any such equity securities to existing stockholders on a preemptive basis, and future offerings of debt or equity securities, or perceptions that such offerings may occur, may reduce the market prices of our preferred stock. Because we may generally issue any such debt or equity securities in the future without obtaining the consent of our stockholders, our stockholders bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market prices of our preferred stock and diluting their proportionate ownership.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments: None
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
See Note 10 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 below for information relating to legal proceedings.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures: Not applicable
Part II.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities: None
Item 6. Selected Financial Data: [Reserved]
20
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.
Executive Summary
The Company is a real estate investment trust that focuses on owning and operating income producing retail properties with a primary focus on grocery-anchored shopping centers in the Northeast. At December 31, 2022, the Company owned a portfolio of 19 operating properties totaling 2.9 million square feet of GLA. The portfolio was 86.2% leased and 82.3% occupied at December 31, 2022.
The Company, organized as a Maryland corporation, has established an umbrella partnership structure through the contribution of substantially all of its assets to the Operating Partnership, organized as a limited partnership under the laws of Delaware. The Company conducts substantially all of its business through the Operating Partnership. Prior to consummation of the Transactions described below, the Operating Partnership had limited partners other than the Company, but their limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership were canceled pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as described below. At December 31, 2022, the Company owned a 100.0% general and limited partnership interest in, and was the sole general partner of, the Operating Partnership and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of WHLR.
On November 25, 2020, the Company effected a 1-for-6.6 reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock. Each 6.6 shares of the Company's issued and outstanding common stock were combined into one share of the Company's common stock. The number of authorized shares and the par value of the common stock were not changed. In addition, the Company amended the Limited Partnership Agreement of our Operating Partnership to effect a corresponding reverse split of the partnership interests of the Operating Partnership. In accordance with GAAP, all shares of common stock, restricted stock units, Operating Partnership units (“OP Units”) and per share/unit information that are presented in this Form10-K were adjusted to reflect the reverse split on a retroactive basis for all periods presented.
The Company derives substantially all of its revenues from rents and operating expense reimbursements received pursuant to leases. The Company’s operating results therefore depend on the ability of its tenants to make the payments required by the terms of their leases. The Company focuses its investment activities on grocery-anchored shopping centers. The Company believes that, because of the need of consumers to purchase food and other staple goods and services generally available at such centers, its type of “necessities-based” properties should provide relatively stable revenue flows even during difficult economic times.
2022 Significant Circumstances and Transactions
Asset Sale and Merger
On March 2, 2022, the Company announced that following its previously announced review of strategic alternatives, it had entered into definitive agreements for the sale of the Company and its assets in a series of related all-cash transactions. Specifically, on March 2, 2022, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an asset purchase and sale agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with DRA Fund X-B LLC and KPR Centers LLC (together with their respective designees, the “Grocery-Anchored Purchasers”) for the sale of a portfolio of 33 grocery-anchored shopping centers for cash (the “Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale”). In addition, on March 2, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with WHLR and certain of its affiliates pursuant to which, following closing of the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale, WHLR would acquire the balance of the Company’s shopping center assets by way of an all-cash merger transaction (the “Merger”).
The transactions contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement and the Merger Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Transactions”. The Transactions were unanimously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and were approved by the Company’s common stockholders at a special meeting of stockholders held on May 27, 2022.
On July 7, 2022, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries completed the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale and the East River Park and Senator Square redevelopment asset sales for total gross proceeds of approximately $879 million, including the assumed debt. There were no material relationships among the Company, the Grocery-Anchored Purchasers, or any of their respective affiliates. On August 22, 2022, the Company completed the Merger. Each outstanding share of common stock of the Company and outstanding common unit of the Operating Partnership held by persons other than the Company immediately prior to the Merger were canceled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment of $9.48 per share or unit. As a result of the Merger, WHLR acquired all of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock, which ceased to be publicly traded on the NYSE. The Company's outstanding
21
7.25% Series B Preferred Stock and 6.50% Series C Preferred Stock remain outstanding and continue to trade on the NYSE. In addition, prior to consummation of the Merger, the Company's Board of Directors declared a special dividend on shares of the Company's outstanding common stock and OP Units of $19.52 per share, payable to holders of record of the Company's common stock and OP Units at the close of business on August 19, 2022.
In connection with the Transactions, the Company incurred transaction costs of $59.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, included in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations, of which $33.5 million relates to employee severance payments.
Real Estate
On June 28, 2022, the Company acquired the 40% minority ownership interest percentage in the Crossroads II joint venture. The Company's ownership interest in Crossroads II was included in the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale that occurred on July 7, 2022.
The following table shows the property disposition, excluding the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale, during the year ended December 31, 2022:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
|
Sales |
|
|
|
|
|||
Disposition |
|
Location |
|
GLA |
|
|
Sold |
|
Price |
|
|
Impairment |
|
|||
Riverview Plaza |
|
Philadelphia, PA |
|
|
108,902 |
|
|
5/16/2022 |
|
$ |
34,000,000 |
|
|
$ |
(361,000 |
) |
Impairments of $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 also include those related to the Company's investment in the unconsolidated joint venture and the note receivable associated with Senator Square. These impairments are included in operating loss in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
The Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale, the sale of East River Park and Senator Square redevelopment asset sales represent a strategic shift and has a material effect on the Company’s operations and financial results, and therefore, the Company determined that it is deemed a discontinued operation. Accordingly, they have been classified as held for sale and the results have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods. The Company recognized a $125.5 million gain on sale and $16.6 million in impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2022 on discontinued operations.
Mortgage Loans Payable
The mortgage loans payable were assumed by the Grocery-Anchored Purchasers, in connection with the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale.
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loans
The unsecured revolving credit facility and term loans were paid off and terminated on July 11, 2022, in connection with the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale.
Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Venture
On August 5, 2022, the Northeast Heights joint venture was sold in connection with the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale. The Company contributed approximately $4.8 million of capital to this joint venture through its tenure.
KeyBank Credit Agreement
On August 22, 2022, the Company entered into a loan agreement with KeyBank National Association for $130.0 million (the “KeyBank Credit Agreement”). The interest rate on this term loan consisted of the term Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus 0.10% plus an applicable margin of 2.5% through February 2023, at which time increases to 4.0% and was collateralized by all of the Company's remaining 19 properties following the Transactions. As of December 31, 2022, the KeyBank Credit Agreement was repaid with the proceeds from the Guggenheim Loan Agreement and Citi Loan Agreement, as defined herein.
Secured Term Loans
On October 28, 2022, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with Guggenheim Real Estate, LLC for $110.0 million at a fixed rate of 5.25% with interest-only payments due monthly (“Guggenheim Loan Agreement”). Commencing on December 10, 2027,
22
until the maturity date of November 10, 2032, monthly principal and interest payments will be made based on a 30-year amortization schedule calculated based on the principal amount as of that time. The Guggenheim Loan Agreement includes certain financial covenants. The Guggenheim Loan Agreement is collateralized by 10 properties and proceeds were used to paydown the Company’s KeyBank Credit Agreement.
On December 21, 2022, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with Citi Real Estate Funding Inc. (“Citi Loan Agreement”) for $25.0 million at a fixed rate of 6.35% with interest-only payments due monthly through maturity on January 6, 2033. The Citi Loan Agreement is collateralized by 2 properties and proceeds were used to satisfy the remaining obligation of the KeyBank Credit Agreement and released the remaining collateral under that agreement.
Related Party Transactions
With the completion of the Company's merger with WHLR, the Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of WHLR. WHLR performs property management and leasing services for the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid WHLR $1.0 million for these services. The related party amounts due to WHLR for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $7.3 million, which consists primarily of financing costs, real estate taxes and costs paid on the Company's behalf at the closing of the KeyBank Credit Agreement.
Summary of Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition and the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, real estate investments and purchase accounting allocations related thereto, asset impairment, and derivatives used to hedge interest-rate risks. Management’s estimates are based both on information that is currently available and on various other assumptions management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those estimates could be different under varying assumptions or conditions.
The Company has identified the following critical accounting policies, the application of which requires significant judgments and estimates:
Revenue Recognition
Rental income with scheduled rent increases is recognized using the straight-line method over the respective terms of the leases. The aggregate excess of rental revenue recognized on a straight-line basis over base rents under applicable lease provisions is included in straight-line rents receivable on the consolidated balance sheet. Leases also generally contain provisions under which the tenants reimburse the Company for a portion of property operating expenses and real estate taxes incurred; such income is recognized in the periods earned. In addition, certain operating leases contain contingent rent provisions under which tenants are required to pay a percentage of their sales in excess of a specified amount as additional rent. The Company defers recognition of contingent rental income until those specified targets are met.
The Company must make estimates as to the collectability of its accounts receivable related to base rent, straight-line rent, expense reimbursements and other revenues. Management analyzes accounts receivable by considering tenant creditworthiness, current economic conditions, and changes in tenants’ payment patterns when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable. These estimates have a direct impact on net income, because a higher bad debt allowance would result in lower net income, whereas a lower bad debt allowance would result in higher net income.
Real Estate Investments
Real estate investments are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. The provision for depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs and betterments that do not materially prolong the normal useful life of an asset are charged to operations as incurred. Expenditures for betterments that substantially extend the useful lives of real estate assets are capitalized.
Real estate investments include costs of development and redevelopment activities, and construction in progress. Capitalized costs, including interest and other carrying costs during the construction and/or renovation periods, are included in the cost of the related asset and charged to operations through depreciation over the asset's estimated useful life. The Company is required to make subjective estimates as to the useful lives of its real estate assets for purposes of determining the amount of depreciation to reflect on an annual
23
basis. These assessments have a direct impact on net income. A shorter estimate of the useful life of an asset would have the effect of increasing depreciation expense and lowering net income, whereas a longer estimate of the useful life of an asset would have the effect of reducing depreciation expense and increasing net income.
A variety of costs are incurred in the acquisition, development and leasing of a property, such as pre-construction costs essential to the development of the property, development costs, construction costs, interest costs, real estate taxes, salaries and related costs, and other costs incurred during the period of development. After a determination is made to capitalize a cost, it is allocated to the specific component of a project that is benefited. The Company ceases capitalization on the portions substantially completed and occupied, or held available for occupancy, and capitalizes only those costs associated with the portions under construction. The Company considers a construction project as substantially completed and held available for occupancy upon the completion of tenant improvements, but not later than one year from cessation of major development activity. Determination of when a development project is substantially complete and capitalization must cease involves a degree of judgment. The effect of a longer capitalization period would be to increase capitalized costs and would result in higher net income, whereas the effect of a shorter capitalization period would be to reduce capitalized costs and would result in lower net income.
The Company allocates the fair value of real estate acquired to land, buildings and improvements. In addition, the fair value of in-place leases is allocated to intangible lease assets and liabilities. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property is determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, which value is then allocated to land, buildings and improvements based on management’s determination of the fair values of such assets. In valuing an acquired property’s intangibles, factors considered by management include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods, such as real estate taxes, insurance, other operating expenses, and estimates of lost rental revenue during the expected lease-up periods based on its evaluation of current market demand. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases, including leasing commissions, tenant improvements, legal and other related costs.
The values of acquired above-market and below-market leases are recorded based on the present values (using discount rates which reflect the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the differences between the contractual amounts to be received and management’s estimate of market lease rates, measured over the terms of the respective leases that management deemed appropriate at the time of the acquisitions. Such valuations include a consideration of the non-cancelable terms of the respective leases as well as any applicable renewal period(s). The fair values associated with below-market rental renewal options are determined based on the Company’s experience and the relevant facts and circumstances that existed at the time of the acquisitions. The values of above-market leases are amortized to rental income over the terms of the respective non-cancelable lease periods. The portion of the values of below-market leases associated with the original non-cancelable lease terms are amortized to rental income over the terms of the respective non-cancelable lease periods. The portion of the values of the leases associated with below-market renewal options that are likely of exercise are amortized to rental income over the respective renewal periods. The value of other intangible assets (including leasing commissions, tenant improvements, etc.) is amortized to expense over the applicable terms of the respective leases. If a lease were to be terminated prior to its stated expiration or not renewed, all unamortized amounts relating to that lease would be recognized in operations at that time.
Management is required to make subjective assessments in connection with its valuation of real estate acquisitions. These assessments have a direct impact on net income because (1) above-market and below-market lease intangibles are amortized to rental income and (2) the value of other intangibles is amortized to expense. Accordingly, higher allocations to below-market lease liability and other intangibles would result in higher rental income and amortization expense, whereas lower allocations to below-market lease liability and other intangibles would result in lower rental income and amortization expense.
Management reviews each real estate investment for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a real estate investment may not be recoverable. The review of recoverability is based on an estimate of the future cash flows that are expected to result from the real estate investment’s use and eventual disposition. These estimates of cash flows consider factors such as expected future operating income, trends and prospects, as well as the effects of leasing demand, competition and other factors. If an impairment event exists due to the projected inability to recover the carrying value of a real estate investment, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value. A real estate investment held for sale is carried at the lower of its carrying amount or estimated fair value, less the cost of a potential sale. Depreciation and amortization are suspended during the period the property is held for sale. Management is required to make subjective assessments as to whether there are impairments in the value of its real estate properties. These assessments have a direct impact on net income, because an impairment loss is recognized in the period that the assessment is made.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 below for information relating to new accounting pronouncements.
24
Results of Operations
Comparison of 2022 to 2021
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|
Change |
|||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
Dollars |
|
|
Percent |
|||
Revenues |
|
$ |
34,005,000 |
|
|
$ |
39,187,000 |
|
|
$ |
(5,182,000 |
) |
|
-13.2% |
Property operating expenses |
|
|
(14,068,000 |
) |
|
|
(13,888,000 |
) |
|
|
(180,000 |
) |
|
1.3% |
Property operating income |
|
|
19,937,000 |
|
|
|
25,299,000 |
|
|
|
(5,362,000 |
) |
|
|
General and administrative |
|
|
(10,099,000 |
) |
|
|
(17,811,000 |
) |
|
|
7,712,000 |
|
|
-43.3% |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
(9,645,000 |
) |
|
|
(12,141,000 |
) |
|
|
2,496,000 |
|
|
-20.6% |
Gain on sales |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
48,857,000 |
|
|
|
(48,857,000 |
) |
|
n/a |
Impairment charges |
|
|
(9,350,000 |
) |
|
|
(65,975,000 |
) |
|
|
56,625,000 |
|
|
n/a |
Transaction costs |
|
|
(58,959,000 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(58,959,000 |
) |
|
n/a |
Interest expense, net |
|
|
(10,894,000 |
) |
|
|
(13,901,000 |
) |
|
|
3,007,000 |
|
|
-21.6% |
Loss from continuing operations |
|
|
(79,010,000 |
) |
|
|
(35,672,000 |
) |
|
|
(43,338,000 |
) |
|
|
Discontinued operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Income from operations |
|
|
14,302,000 |
|
|
|
23,535,000 |
|
|
|
(9,233,000 |
) |
|
-39.2% |
Impairment charges |
|
|
(16,629,000 |
) |
|
|
(33,913,000 |
) |
|
|
17,284,000 |
|
|
n/a |
Gain on sales |
|
|
125,500,000 |
|
|
|
1,047,000 |
|
|
|
124,453,000 |
|
|
n/a |
Net income (loss) |
|
|
44,163,000 |
|
|
|
(45,003,000 |
) |
|
|
89,166,000 |
|
|
|
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
(132,000 |
) |
|
|
(96,000 |
) |
|
|
(36,000 |
) |
|
n/a |
Net income (loss) attributable to Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. |
|
$ |
44,031,000 |
|
|
$ |
(45,099,000 |
) |
|
$ |
89,130,000 |
|
|
|
Revenues were lower primarily as a result of (1) a decrease of $5.7 million in rental revenues and expense recoveries attributable to properties that were sold or held for sale in 2022 and 2021 not deemed to be discontinued operations, which is partially offset by (2) an increase of $0.2 million in rental revenues, expense recoveries and a non-recurring income item attributable to same center properties, and (3) an increase in other income of $0.3 million attributable to one-time transactions for properties that were sold in 2022.
Property operating expenses were higher primarily as a result of (1) an increase of $1.5 million in property operating expenses attributable to same center properties, (2) an increase of $0.4 million attributable to one-time property operating expenses for properties that were sold in 2022, partially offset by (3) a decrease of $1.7 million in property operating expenses attributable to properties sold or held for sale during 2022 and 2021 not deemed to be discontinued operations.
General and administrative costs were lower primarily as a result of (1) a decrease of $5.6 million in payroll related costs due to employee departure, (2) a decrease of $1.2 million in legal and professional expense, and (3) a decrease of $0.9 million in other general and administrative accounts.
Depreciation and amortization expenses were lower as a result of (1) a decrease of $1.4 million attributable to same center properties and (2) a decrease of $1.1 million attributable to properties that were sold or held for sale in 2022 and 2021 not deemed to be discontinued operations.
Gain on sales in 2021 relates to the sale of Camp Hill Shopping Center, located in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
Impairment charges in 2022 relate to Riverview Plaza, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Company's investment in the unconsolidated joint venture and the note receivable associated with Senator Square located in Washington D.C. Impairment charges in 2021 relate to the Company's dual-track strategic alternatives process, partially offset by impairment reversal related to The Commons, located in Dubois, Pennsylvania.
Transaction costs in 2022 relate to costs incurred related to the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale and the Merger with WHLR.
Interest expense, net was lower as a result of (1) a decrease in the overall weighted average principal balance which resulted in a decrease in interest expense of $6.4 million, (2) a decrease in the overall weighted average interest rate which resulted in a decrease in interest expense of $3.1 million, (3) an increase in interest income of $0.5 million, partially offset by (4) a decrease in capitalized interest of $2.4 million and (5) an increase of $4.6 million related to the acceleration of amortization of deferred financing costs.
Discontinued operations for 2022 and 2021 include the results of operations, impairments and gain on sales for properties treated as discontinued operations.
25
Comparison of 2021 to 2020
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|
Change |
|||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Dollars |
|
|
Percent |
|||
Revenues |
|
$ |
39,187,000 |
|
|
$ |
45,890,000 |
|
|
$ |
(6,703,000 |
) |
|
-14.6% |
Property operating expenses |
|
|
(13,888,000 |
) |
|
|
(11,558,000 |
) |
|
|
(2,330,000 |
) |
|
20.2% |
Property operating income |
|
|
25,299,000 |
|
|
|
34,332,000 |
|
|
|
(9,033,000 |
) |
|
|
General and administrative |
|
|
(17,811,000 |
) |
|
|
(16,691,000 |
) |
|
|
(1,120,000 |
) |
|
6.7% |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
(12,141,000 |
) |
|
|
(16,469,000 |
) |
|
|
4,328,000 |
|
|
-26.3% |
Gain on sales |
|
|
48,857,000 |
|
|
|
3,753,000 |
|
|
|
45,104,000 |
|
|
n/a |
Impairment charges |
|
|
(65,975,000 |
) |
|
|
(7,607,000 |
) |
|
|
(58,368,000 |
) |
|
n/a |
Interest expense |
|
|
(13,901,000 |
) |
|
|
(19,840,000 |
) |
|
|
5,939,000 |
|
|
-29.9% |
Loss from continuing operations |
|
|
(35,672,000 |
) |
|
|
(22,522,000 |
) |
|
|
(13,150,000 |
) |
|
|
Discontinued operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Income from operations |
|
|
23,535,000 |
|
|
|
21,359,000 |
|
|
|
2,176,000 |
|
|
10.2% |
Impairment charges |
|
|
(33,913,000 |
) |
|
|
643,000 |
|
|
|
(34,556,000 |
) |
|
n/a |
Gain on sales |
|
|
1,047,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,047,000 |
|
|
n/a |
Net (loss) income |
|
|
(45,003,000 |
) |
|
|
(520,000 |
) |
|
|
(44,483,000 |
) |
|
|
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
(96,000 |
) |
|
|
(552,000 |
) |
|
|
456,000 |
|
|
n/a |
Net (loss) income attributable to Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. |
|
$ |
(45,099,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,072,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(44,027,000 |
) |
|
|
Revenues were lower primarily as a result of a reduction in lease termination fee income of $7.1 million of revenue received in the quarter ended March 31, 2020 relating to a dark anchor tenant terminating its lease prior to the contractual expiration in 2020 at Metro Square.
Property operating expenses were higher primarily as a result of (1) an increase of $6.5 million in property operating expenses attributable to same-center properties, partially offset by (2) a decrease of $4.2 million in property operating expenses attributable to properties that were sold or held for sale in 2021 and 2020.
General and administrative costs were higher primarily as a result of (1) an increase of $0.6 million in legal and professional expense, (2) an increase of $0.6 million in other general and administrative accounts related predominantly to state taxes, which is partially offset by (3) a decrease of $0.1 million in payroll expense related to the reduction in head count in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Depreciation and amortization expenses were lower as a result of (1) a decrease of $2.6 million attributable to properties that were sold or held for sale in 2021 and 2020 and (2) a decrease of $1.7 million attributable to same-center properties.
Gain on sales in 2021 relates to the sale of Camp Hill Shopping Center, located in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Gain on sales in 2020 relates to the sale of (1) Glen Allen Shopping Center, located in Glen Allen, Virginia, (2) Suffolk Plaza, located in Suffolk, Virginia, and (3) an outparcel building at Pine Grove Plaza, located in Brown Mills, New Jersey.
Impairment charges in 2021 relate to the Company's dual-track strategic alternatives process, partially offset by impairment reversal related to The Commons, located in Dubois, Pennsylvania. Impairment charges in 2020 relate to Metro Square, located in Owings Mills, Maryland, and The Commons, located in Dubois, Pennsylvania.
Interest expense was lower as a result of (1) a decrease in the overall weighted average principal balance which resulted in a decrease in interest expense of $5.8 million, (2) an increase in capitalized interest of $0.7 million, partially offset by (3) an increase in the overall weighted average interest rate which resulted in an increase in interest expense of $0.6 million.
Discontinued operations for 2021 and 2020 include the results of operations, impairments and gain on sales for properties treated as discontinued operations.
26
Same-Property Net Operating Income
Same-property net operating income (“same-property NOI”) is a widely-used non-GAAP financial measure for REITs that the Company believes, when considered with financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, is useful to investors as it provides an indication of the recurring cash generated by the Company’s properties by excluding certain non-cash revenues and expenses, as well as other infrequent items such as lease termination income which tends to fluctuate more than rents from year to year. Properties are included in same-property NOI if they are owned and operated for the entirety of both periods being compared, except for properties undergoing significant redevelopment and expansion until such properties have stabilized, and properties classified as held for sale. Consistent with the capital treatment of such costs under GAAP, tenant improvements, leasing commissions and other direct leasing costs are excluded from same-property NOI.
The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is consolidated operating income. Same-property NOI should not be considered as an alternative to consolidated operating income prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of liquidity. Further, same-property NOI is a measure for which there is no standard industry definition and, as such, it is not consistently defined or reported on among the Company’s peers, and thus may not provide an adequate basis for comparison among REITs.
The following table reconciles same-property NOI to the Company’s consolidated operating loss:
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Operating loss |
|
$ |
(68,116,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(21,771,000 |
) |
Add (deduct): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
General and administrative |
|
|
10,099,000 |
|
|
|
17,811,000 |
|
Gain on sales |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(48,857,000 |
) |
Transaction costs |
|
|
58,959,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Impairment charges |
|
|
9,350,000 |
|
|
|
65,975,000 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
9,645,000 |
|
|
|
12,141,000 |
|
Straight-line rents |
|
|
(361,000 |
) |
|
|
61,000 |
|
Amortization of intangible lease liabilities |
|
|
(896,000 |
) |
|
|
(657,000 |
) |
Other adjustments |
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
(847,000 |
) |
NOI related to properties not defined as same-property |
|
|
(495,000 |
) |
|
|
(4,599,000 |
) |
Same-property NOI |
|
$ |
18,211,000 |
|
|
$ |
19,257,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Number of same properties |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
Same-property occupancy, end of period |
|
|
82.3 |
% |
|
|
83.5 |
% |
Same-property leased, end of period |
|
|
86.2 |
% |
|
|
86.6 |
% |
Same-property average base rent, end of period |
|
$ |
10.28 |
|
|
$ |
10.29 |
|
Same-property NOI for the comparable years decreased 5.4% primarily as a result of non-recurring operating expenses in 2022.
27
Leasing Activity
The following is a summary of the Company’s retail leasing activity during 2022 for the 19-property portfolio since the Merger with WHLR:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Six months ended |
|
||
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
||
Renewals (a): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Leases renewed with rate increase (sq feet) |
|
|
81,904 |
|
|
|
124,875 |
|
Leases renewed with rate decrease (sq feet) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
29,223 |
|
Leases renewed with no rate change (sq feet) |
|
|
64,950 |
|
|
|
64,950 |
|
Total leases renewed (sq feet) |
|
|
146,854 |
|
|
|
219,048 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Leases renewed with rate increase (count) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
Leases renewed with rate decrease (count) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Leases renewed with no rate change (count) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Total leases renewed (count) |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Option exercised (count) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Weighted average on rate increases (per sq foot) |
|
$ |
2.43 |
|
|
$ |
1.91 |
|
Weighted average on rate decreases (per sq foot) |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(0.28 |
) |
Weighted average on all renewals (per sq foot) |
|
$ |
1.36 |
|
|
$ |
1.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Weighted average change over prior rates |
|
|
14.35 |
% |
|
|
10.26 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
New Leases (a) (b): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
New leases (sq feet) |
|
|
120,853 |
|
|
|
159,213 |
|
New leases (count) |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
Weighted average rate (per sq foot) |
|
$ |
11.04 |
|
|
$ |
10.70 |
|
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company funds operating expenses and other short-term liquidity requirements, including debt service and loan maturities, tenant improvements, leasing commissions and preferred dividend distributions, primarily from its operations and the $9.6 million in restricted cash as of December 31, 2022.
The Company has considered its short-term (one year or less) liquidity needs and the adequacy of its estimated cash flows from operating activities and other expected financing sources to meet these needs. The Company does not have any scheduled debt maturities for the year ending December 31, 2023. Additionally, the Company plans to undertake measures to grow its operations and increase liquidity through backfilling vacant anchor spaces, replacing tenants who are in default of their lease terms, increasing future lease revenue through tenant improvements partially funded by restricted cash, disposition of assets, refinancing properties and operating cash.
On August 30, 2021, the Company amended its then-existing $300 million unsecured credit facility and $50 million term loan. After the amendment, the unsecured revolving credit facility was $185 million with an expiration in August 2024. The unsecured revolving credit facility was able to be extended, at the Company’s option for two additional one-year periods, subject to customary conditions. Interest on the borrowings under the unsecured revolving credit facility component could range from LIBOR plus 135 bps to 195 bps (150 bps at June 30, 2022, prior to its pay off, as discussed below), based on the Company’s leverage ratio. The Company extended its $50 million term loan four years with an expiration in August 2026.
Although the credit facility was unsecured, borrowing availability was based on unencumbered property adjusted net operating income for the trailing twelve months, as defined in the agreements. The unsecured revolving credit facility and term loans were paid off and terminated on July 11, 2022, in connection with the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale.
28
On May 5, 2021, the Company closed a non-recourse mortgage for $114.0 million. The mortgage matures June 1, 2031, bears interest at a fixed-rate of 3.49% and requires payment of interest-only for the first five years followed by payments of principal and interest based on thirty-year amortization for the remainder of the term. The loan is secured by five shopping centers consisting of Lawndale Plaza, The Shops at Suffolk Downs, Christina Crossing, Trexlertown Plaza, and The Point. These properties had no pre-existing debt and the proceeds from this loan were used to reduce amounts outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility. The mortgage loans payable were assumed by the Grocery-Anchored Purchasers, in connection with the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale.
On August 22, 2022, the Company entered into the KeyBank Credit Agreement for $130.0 million. The interest rate on this term loan consisted of the term Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus 0.10% plus an applicable margin of 2.5% through February 2023, at which time increases to 4.0% and was collateralized by all of the Company's remaining 19 properties following the Transactions. As of December 31, 2022, the KeyBank Credit Agreement was repaid with the proceeds from the Guggenheim Loan Agreement and Citi Loan Agreement.
On October 28, 2022, the Company entered into the Guggenheim Loan Agreement for $110.0 million at a fixed rate of 5.25% with interest-only payments due monthly. Commencing on December 10, 2027, until the maturity date of November 10, 2032, monthly principal and interest payments will be made based on a 30-year amortization schedule calculated based on the principal amount as of that time. The Guggenheim Loan Agreement includes certain financial covenants. The Guggenheim Loan Agreement is collateralized by 10 properties and proceeds were used to paydown the Company’s KeyBank Credit Agreement.
On December 21, 2022, the Company entered into the Citi Loan Agreement for $25.0 million at a fixed rate of 6.35% with interest-only payments due monthly through maturity on January 6, 2033. The Citi Loan Agreement is collateralized by 2 properties and proceeds were used to satisfy the remaining obligation of the KeyBank Credit Agreement and released the remaining collateral under that agreement.
Debt obligations are composed of the following at December 31, 2022 and collateralized by 12 properties:
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual |
|
|
|
Maturity |
|
Balance |
|
|
interest rates |
|
Description |
|
dates |
|
outstanding |
|
|
weighted-average |
|
Fixed-rate: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term loan |
|
Nov 2032 |
|
$ |
110,000,000 |
|
|
5.3% |
Term loan |
|
Jan 2033 |
|
|
25,000,000 |
|
|
6.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
135,000,000 |
|
|
5.5% |
Unamortized issuance costs |
|
|
|
|
(3,538,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
131,462,000 |
|
|
|
The following table details the Company’s debt obligation maturities at December 31, 2022:
2023 |
|
$ |
— |
|
2024 |
|
|
— |
|
2025 |
|
|
— |
|
2026 |
|
|
— |
|
2027 |
|
|
126,000 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
134,874,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
135,000,000 |
|
Term loans payable may require the Company to deposit certain replacement and other reserves with its lenders. Such “restricted cash” is generally available only for property-level requirements for which the reserves have been established and are not available to fund other property-level or Company-level obligations.
In order to continue qualifying as a REIT, the Company is required to distribute at least 90% of its “REIT taxable income”, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Company paid common stock and preferred stock dividends during 2021, and, in 2022, paid preferred stock dividends through the fourth quarter of 2022 and has continued to declare preferred stock dividends through the first quarter of 2023. Additionally, the Company paid dividends to the common stockholders in the first quarter and third quarter of 2022. Future dividend declarations will continue to be at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and will depend on the cash flow and financial condition of the Company, capital requirements, annual distribution requirements under
29
the REIT provisions of the Code, and such other factors as the Board of Directors may deem relevant. The Company intends to continue to operate its business in a manner that will allow it to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax requirements.
The following table sets forth the Company’s significant debt repayment, interest, and operating lease obligations at December 31, 2022:
|
Maturity Date |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2026 |
|
|
2027 |
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
Total |
|
|||||||
Debt: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Secured term loans |
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
126,000 |
|
|
$ |
134,874,000 |
|
|
$ |
135,000,000 |
|
Interest payments (a) |
|
7,398,000 |
|
|
|
7,485,000 |
|
|
|
7,465,000 |
|
|
|
7,465,000 |
|
|
|
7,465,000 |
|
|
|
35,860,000 |
|
|
|
73,138,000 |
|
Operating lease obligations |
|
179,000 |
|
|
|
179,000 |
|
|
|
179,000 |
|
|
|
179,000 |
|
|
|
179,000 |
|
|
|
7,852,000 |
|
|
|
8,747,000 |
|
Total |
$ |
7,577,000 |
|
|
$ |
7,664,000 |
|
|
$ |
7,644,000 |
|
|
$ |
7,644,000 |
|
|
$ |
7,770,000 |
|
|
$ |
178,586,000 |
|
|
$ |
216,885,000 |
|
In addition, the Company has no outstanding construction commitments at December 31, 2022.
Other than the items disclosed in the table above, the Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2022 that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on the Company’s financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Net Cash Flows
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
Cash flows (used in) provided by: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Operating activities |
|
$ |
(20,464,000 |
) |
|
$ |
44,962,000 |
|
|
$ |
42,580,000 |
|
Investing activities |
|
$ |
676,775,000 |
|
|
$ |
71,534,000 |
|
|
$ |
(18,369,000 |
) |
Financing activities |
|
$ |
(646,117,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(114,864,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(25,321,000 |
) |
Operating Activities
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities, before net changes in operating assets and liabilities, was $(28.9) million, $48.7 million, and $57.5 million for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease between 2022 and 2021 was a result of the transaction costs related to the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale and completion of the Company's merger with WHLR. The increase between 2021 and 2020 was primarily a result of the favorable impact post COVID-19.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities were primarily the result of the Company’s property disposition activities, property acquisitions and expenditures for property improvements. During 2022, the Company received $667.4 million in proceeds from the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale and $31.9 million in proceeds from the sale of Riverview Plaza, which was partially offset by $22.4 million of expenditures for property improvements. During 2021, the Company received proceeds of $104.5 million from the sale of properties, which was partially offset by (1) expenditures of $28.3 million for property improvements and (2) investment of $4.7 million in an unconsolidated joint venture. During 2020, the Company incurred expenditures of $39.6 million for property improvements, which was partially offset by $21.2 million in proceeds from the sale of properties.
Financing Activities
During 2022, the Company made $408.1 million of preferred and common stock distributions, a $300.0 million term loan payoff, $130.7 million of mortgage repayments, net payments of $66.0 million under the revolving credit facility, payments of $7.4 million of debt financing costs, $1.4 million of distributions to limited partners, and the purchase of a minority interest in a joint venture for $1.0 million, which were partially offset by $265.0 million in new term loans and a $3.4 million benefit as a result of interest rate swap terminations. During 2021, the Company repaid $100.0 million of term loans, had $109.0 million of net, repayments under the revolving credit facility, had $14.7 million of preferred and common stock distributions, had $3.3 million of payments related to deferred financing costs, had $1.1 million of mortgage repayments, had $0.5 million of termination payments related to a swap, which is partially offset by $114.0 million of property specific mortgages placed during 2021. During 2020, the Company repaid a $75.0 million term loan, had
30
$17.9 million of preferred and common stock distributions, had $1.1 million of mortgage repayments, and paid $0.3 million of debt financing costs, which were partially offset by net advances of $69.0 million under the revolving credit facility.
Funds From Operations
Funds From Operations (“FFO”) is a widely recognized supplemental non-GAAP measure utilized to evaluate the financial performance of a REIT. The Company presents FFO in accordance with the definition adopted by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“Nareit”). Nareit generally defines FFO as net income (determined in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (losses) from sales of real estate properties, impairment write-downs on real estate properties directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciable real estate, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization, and adjustments for partnerships and joint ventures to reflect FFO on the same basis. The Company considers FFO to be an appropriate measure of its financial performance because it captures features particular to real estate performance by recognizing that real estate generally appreciates over time or maintains residual value to a much greater extent than other depreciable assets.
The Company also considers Operating Funds From Operations (“Operating FFO”) to be an additional meaningful financial measure of financial performance because it excludes items the Company does not believe are indicative of its core operating performance, such as non-capitalized acquisition pursuit costs, amounts relating to early extinguishment of debt and preferred stock redemption costs, management transition costs and certain redevelopment costs. The Company believes Operating FFO further assists in comparing the Company’s performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding such items.
FFO and Operating FFO should be reviewed with net income attributable to common shareholders, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, when trying to understand the Company’s operating performance. FFO and Operating FFO do not represent cash generated from operating activities and should not be considered as an alternative to net income attributable to common shareholders or to cash flow from operating activities. The Company’s computations of FFO and Operating FFO may differ from the computations utilized by other REITs and, accordingly, may not by comparable to such REITs.
A reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders to FFO and Operating FFO for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders |
|
$ |
33,279,000 |
|
|
$ |
(55,851,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,824,000 |
) |
Real estate depreciation and amortization |
|
|
19,318,000 |
|
|
|
39,380,000 |
|
|
|
48,297,000 |
|
Limited partners' interest |
|
|
132,000 |
|
|
|
(329,000 |
) |
|
|
(66,000 |
) |
Gain on sales |
|
|
(125,500,000 |
) |
|
|
(49,904,000 |
) |
|
|
(4,396,000 |
) |
Impairment charges |
|
|
25,979,000 |
|
|
|
99,888,000 |
|
|
|
7,607,000 |
|
Consolidated minority interests: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Share of income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
425,000 |
|
|
|
618,000 |
|
Share of FFO |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(303,000 |
) |
|
|
(388,000 |
) |
FFO applicable to diluted common shares |
|
|
(46,792,000 |
) |
|
|
33,306,000 |
|
|
|
39,848,000 |
|
Transaction costs (a) |
|
|
58,959,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Redevelopment costs (b) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
230,000 |
|
|
|
483,000 |
|
Financing costs (c) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
215,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Operating FFO applicable to diluted common shares |
|
$ |
12,167,000 |
|
|
$ |
33,751,000 |
|
|
$ |
40,331,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
FFO per diluted common share |
|
$ |
(3.40 |
) |
|
$ |
2.40 |
|
|
$ |
2.88 |
|
Operating FFO per diluted common share |
|
$ |
0.88 |
|
|
$ |
2.43 |
|
|
$ |
2.91 |
|
Weighted average number of diluted common shares (d): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Common shares and equivalents |
|
|
13,717,000 |
|
|
|
13,814,000 |
|
|
|
13,758,000 |
|
OP Units |
|
|
44,000 |
|
|
|
81,000 |
|
|
|
81,000 |
|
|
|
|
13,761,000 |
|
|
|
13,895,000 |
|
|
|
13,839,000 |
|
31
Inflation, Deflation and Economic Condition Considerations
Prior to 2021, inflation was relatively low and did not have a significant detrimental impact on the Company’s results of operations, however inflation substantially increased in 2022. If inflation rates continue to increase, substantially all of the Company’s tenant leases contain provisions designed to partially mitigate the negative impact of inflation in the near term. Such lease provisions include clauses that require tenants to reimburse the Company for inflation-sensitive costs such as real estate taxes, insurance and many of the operating expenses it incurs. Significant inflation rate increases over a prolonged period of time may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business. Conversely, deflation could lead to downward pressure on rents and other sources of income.
The efforts of the Federal Reserve to combat inflation have led to significant increases in interest rates. These increases could result in higher incremental borrowing costs for the Company and our tenants. The duration of our indebtedness and our relatively low exposure to floating rate debt have mitigated the direct impact of inflation and interest rate increases, the degree and pace of these changes have had and may continue to have impacts on our business.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
One of the principal market risks facing the Company is the risk of interest rate changes. The Company’s objectives with respect to interest rate risk are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on operations and cash flows, and to lower its overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, the Company may borrow at either fixed rates or at variable rates and enter into derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swaps, to mitigate its interest rate risk. The Company does not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes. The Company is not directly subject to foreign currency risk.
With respect to the Company’s fixed-rate term loans, changes in interest rates generally do not affect the Company’s interest expense as these loans are at fixed rates for an extended term. Because the Company presently intends to hold its existing fixed-rate debt either to maturity or until the sale of the associated property, these fixed-rate loans pose an interest rate risk to the Company’s results of operations and its working capital position only upon the refinancing of that indebtedness. The Company’s possible risk is from increases in long-term interest rates that may occur as this may increase the cost of refinancing maturing fixed-rate debt. In addition, the Company may incur prepayment penalties or defeasance costs when prepaying or defeasing debt.
32
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
All other schedules have been omitted because the required information is not present, is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
33
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes and schedule (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 2, 2023, expressed an unqualified opinion.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Evaluation of Real Estate for Impairment
Description of Matter
At December 31, 2022, the Company’s net real estate totaled $206.6 million. As more fully described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company evaluates its investment properties for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of investment properties may not be recoverable. Management evaluates various qualitative factors in determining whether or not events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an investment property may not be recoverable.
Auditing the Company’s impairment assessment involved subjectivity due to the estimation required to assess significant assumptions utilized in estimating the recoverability of the investment properties based on undiscounted operating income and residual values, such as assumptions related to renewal and renegotiations of current leases, estimates of new leases on vacant spaces, and estimates of operating costs.
34
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of internal controls over management’s impairment evaluation process. This included testing controls over management’s review of the estimated undiscounted cash flows, including the significant assumptions and data used to develop the cash flows. To test the Company’s evaluation of net real estate for impairment, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing the methodologies applied, evaluating the significant assumptions discussed above and testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used in the analysis. We compared the recoverability calculated to the remaining net book value of the assets to ensure recoverability for the properties’ remaining useful lives. We compared the significant assumptions used by management to relevant market information and other applicable sources. As part of our evaluation, we performed sensitivity analyses of significant assumptions to evaluate the changes in the undiscounted cash flows of the related property that would result from changes in the assumptions.
/s/
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022.
March 2, 2023
35
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. as of December 31, 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes and schedule listed in the index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/
We have served as the Company’s auditor from 1984 to 2021
March 10, 2022
Except for Note 3, as to which the date is March 2, 2023
36
CEDAR REALTY TRUST, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
December 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Real estate: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Land |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Buildings and improvements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Less accumulated depreciation |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Real estate, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Real estate held for sale |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in unconsolidated joint venture |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Restricted cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Receivables |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other assets and deferred charges, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Mortgage loan payable - held for sale |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Finance lease obligation - held for sale |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Unsecured revolving credit facility |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Unsecured term loans |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Secured term loans, net |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Due to Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Unamortized intangible lease liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Unamortized intangible lease liabilities - held for sale |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. shareholders' equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Preferred stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common stock ($ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Treasury stock ( |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cumulative distributions in excess of net income |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Total Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. shareholders' equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Noncontrolling interests: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Limited partners' OP Units |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Total noncontrolling interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
37
CEDAR REALTY TRUST, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
REVENUES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Rental revenues |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Total revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
EXPENSES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Operating, maintenance and management |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Real estate and other property-related taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
General and administrative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Total expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
OTHER |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Gain on sales |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Transaction costs |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Impairment charges |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Total other |
|
|
( | ) |
|
|
( | ) |
|
|
( | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
OPERATING LOSS |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
NON-OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Interest expense, net |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Total non-operating income and expenses |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Income from discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Impairment (charges) reversal |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Gain on sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
||
Total income (loss) from discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
NET INCOME (LOSS) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Minority interests in consolidated joint ventures |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Limited partners' interest in Operating Partnership |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CEDAR REALTY TRUST, INC. |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Preferred stock dividends |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (BASIC AND DILUTED): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Continuing operations |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Weighted average number of common shares - basic and diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
38
CEDAR REALTY TRUST, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Unrealized gain (loss) on change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
39
CEDAR REALTY TRUST, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury |
|
|
Additional |
|
|
distributions |
|
|
other |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
Preferred stock |
|
|
Common stock |
|
|
stock, |
|
|
paid-in |
|
|
in excess of |
|
|
comprehensive |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
at cost |
|
|
capital |
|
|
net income |
|
|
(income) loss |
|
|
Total |
|
|||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( | ) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( | ) |
|
$ |
|
||||||
Net (loss) income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Unrealized (loss) on change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Share-based compensation, net |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|||||
Common stock sales, net of issuance expenses |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|||
Preferred stock dividends |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Distributions to common shareholders/noncontrolling interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Reallocation adjustment of limited partners' interest |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Balance, December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( | ) |
|
|
|
||||||
Net (loss) income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Unrealized gain on change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Share-based compensation, net |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||||
Common stock sales, net of issuance expenses |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||
Preferred stock dividends |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Distributions to common shareholders/noncontrolling interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Reallocation adjustment of limited partners' interest |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||
Conversion of OP Units to shares |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Acquisition of minority interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||
Balance, December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( | ) |
|
|
|
||||||
Net income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||
Unrealized gain on change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Share-based compensation, net |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||
Purchase of OP Units |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Preferred stock dividends |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Acquisition of minority interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Distributions to common shareholders/noncontrolling interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Reallocation adjustment of limited partners' interest |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||
Common stock sales, net of issuance expenses |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||
Common stock issuance |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
||
Common stock repurchases |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Common stock issued to Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
||
Balance, December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
40
CEDAR REALTY TRUST, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Continued
|
|
Noncontrolling Interests |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Limited |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Minority |
|
|
partners' |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
interests in |
|
|
interest in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
consolidated |
|
|
Operating |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
||||
|
|
joint ventures |
|
|
Partnership |
|
|
Total |
|
|
equity |
|
||||
Balance, December 31, 2019 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Net (loss) income |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
Unrealized (loss) on change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Share-based compensation, net |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock sales, net of issuance expenses |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock dividends |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Distributions to common shareholders/noncontrolling interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Reallocation adjustment of limited partners' interest |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
||
Balance, December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net (loss) income |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
Unrealized gain on change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Share-based compensation, net |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock sales, net of issuance expenses |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock dividends |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Distributions to common shareholders/noncontrolling interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Reallocation adjustment of limited partners' interest |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Conversion of OP Units to shares |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Acquisition of minority interests |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Balance, December 31, 2021 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Unrealized gain on change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Share-based compensation, net |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of OP Units |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Preferred stock dividends |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Acquisition of minority interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Distributions to common shareholders/noncontrolling interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Reallocation adjustment of limited partners' interest |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Common stock sales, net of issuance expenses |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock issuance |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Common stock repurchases |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Common stock issued to Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Balance, December 31, 2022 |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
41
CEDAR REALTY TRUST, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Gain on sales |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Impairment charges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Straight-line rents and expenses, net |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Provision for doubtful accounts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Amortization of intangible lease liabilities, net |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Expense relating to share-based compensation, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Rents and other receivables |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Prepaid expenses and other |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Expenditures for real estate improvements |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Net proceeds from sales of real estate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Contributions to unconsolidated joint venture |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( | ) |
|
|
— |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Repayments under revolving credit facility |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Advances under revolving credit facility |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Repayment of term notes |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Proceeds (termination payment) related to interest rate swap |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
Term loans and mortgage proceeds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
||
Term loan and mortgage repayments |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Payments of debt financing costs |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Noncontrolling interests: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Purchase of minority interest |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Distributions to limited partners |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Acquisition of joint venture minority interest share |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Redemption of OP units |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Common stock sales less issuance expenses, net |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock dividends |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Distributions to common shareholders |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Reconciliation to consolidated balance sheets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Restricted cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
42
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
Note 1. Business and Organization
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that focuses on owning and operating income producing retail properties with a primary focus on grocery-anchored shopping centers primarily in the Northeast.
The Company, organized as a Maryland corporation, has established an umbrella partnership structure through the contribution of substantially all of its assets to Cedar Realty Trust Partnership L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), organized as a limited partnership under the laws of Delaware. The Company conducts substantially all of its business through the Operating Partnership. Prior to consummation of the Transactions described below, the Operating Partnership had limited partners other than the Company, but their limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership were canceled pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as described below. At December 31, 2022, the Company owned a
As used herein, the "Company" refers to Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, including the Operating Partnership or, where the context so requires, Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. only.
Asset Sale and Merger
On March 2, 2022, the Company announced that following its previously announced review of strategic alternatives, it had entered into definitive agreements for the sale of the Company and its assets in a series of related all-cash transactions. Specifically, on March 2, 2022, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an asset purchase and sale agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with DRA Fund X-B LLC and KPR Centers LLC (together with their respective designees, the “Grocery-Anchored Purchasers”) for the sale of a portfolio of
The transactions contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement and the Merger Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Transactions”. The Transactions were unanimously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and were approved by the Company’s common stockholders at a special meeting of stockholders held on May 27, 2022.
On July 7, 2022, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries completed the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale and the East River Park and Senator Square redevelopment asset sales for total gross proceeds of approximately $
In connection with the transactions discussed above, the Company incurred transaction costs of $
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Reverse Stock Split
On November 25, 2020, the Company effected a 1-for-6.6 reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock.
43
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
the Operating Partnership. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), all shares of common stock, restricted stock units, Operating Partnership Units (“OP Units”) and per share/unit information that are presented in this Form 10-K were adjusted to reflect the reverse split on a retroactive basis for all periods presented.
Principles of Consolidation/Basis of Preparation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company, the Operating Partnership, its subsidiaries, and certain joint venture partnerships in which it participates. The Company consolidates all variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which it is the primary beneficiary. Generally, a VIE is an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (1) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, (2) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk (a) lack the power through voting or similar rights to make decisions about the entity’s activities that significantly impact the entity’s performance, (b) have no obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (c) have no right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity, or (3) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests, and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately fewer voting rights. A VIE is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE has (1) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. Significant judgments related to these determinations include estimates about the current values, performance of real estate held by these VIEs, and general market conditions.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance which amended the consolidation requirements, including introducing a separate consolidation analysis specific to limited partnerships and other similar entities. Under the analysis, limited partnerships and other similar entities will be considered variable interest entities unless the limited partners hold substantive kick-out rights or participating rights. The guidance was adopted on January 1, 2016. The Company had a
On June 28, 2022, the Company acquired the
The accompanying financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis in accordance with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods covered by the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Real Estate Investments
Real estate investments are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. The provision for depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the respective assets of between
Real estate investments include costs of development and redevelopment activities, and construction in progress. Capitalized costs, including interest and other carrying costs during the construction and/or renovation periods, are included in the cost of the related asset and charged to operations through depreciation over the asset’s estimated useful life. A variety of costs are incurred in the development and leasing of a property, such as pre-construction costs essential to the development of the property, development costs, construction costs, interest costs, real estate taxes, salaries and related costs, and other costs incurred during the period of development. After a determination is made to capitalize a cost, it is allocated to the specific component of a project that is benefited. The Company ceases capitalization on the portions substantially completed and occupied, or held available for occupancy, and capitalizes only those costs associated with the portions under development. The Company considers a construction project to be substantially completed and
44
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
held available for occupancy upon the completion of tenant improvements, but not later than one year from cessation of major construction activity.
The Company allocates the fair value of real estate acquired to land, buildings and improvements. In addition, the fair value of in-place leases is allocated to intangible lease assets and liabilities. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property is determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, which value is then allocated to land, buildings and improvements based on management’s determination of the fair values of these assets. In valuing an acquired property’s intangibles, factors considered by management include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods, such as real estate taxes, insurance, other operating expenses, and estimates of lost rental revenue during the expected lease-up periods based on its evaluation of current market demand. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases, including leasing commissions, tenant improvements, legal and other related costs.
The values of acquired above-market and below-market leases are recorded based on the present values (using discount rates which reflect the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the differences between the contractual amounts to be received and management’s estimate of market lease rates, measured over the terms of the respective leases that management deemed appropriate at the time of the acquisitions. Such valuations include consideration of the non-cancelable terms of the respective leases as well as any applicable renewal periods. The fair values associated with below-market rental renewal options are determined based on the Company’s experience and the relevant facts and circumstances that existed at the time of the acquisitions. The values of above-market leases are amortized to rental income over the terms of the respective non-cancelable lease periods. The portion of the values of below-market leases associated with the original non-cancelable lease terms are amortized to rental income over the terms of the respective non-cancelable lease periods. The portion of the values of the leases associated with below-market renewal options that are likely of exercise are amortized to rental income over the respective renewal periods. The value of other intangible assets (including leasing commissions, tenant improvements, etc.) is amortized to expense over the applicable terms of the respective leases. If a lease were to be terminated prior to its stated expiration or not renewed, all unamortized amounts relating to that lease would be recognized in operations at that time.
Properties Held for Sale
The Company may decide to sell properties that are held for use. The Company records these properties as held for sale when management has committed to a plan to sell the assets, actively seeks a buyer for the assets, and the consummation of the sale is considered probable and is expected within one year.
The carrying values of the assets and liabilities of properties determined to be held for sale, principally the net book values of the real estate and the related mortgage loans payable expected to be assumed by the buyers, are reclassified as “held for sale” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at the time such determinations are made, on a prospective basis only.
The Company, when applicable, conducts a continuing review of the values for all properties “held for sale” based on final sales prices and sales contracts entered into. Impairment charges/reversals, if applicable, are based on a comparison of the carrying values of the properties with either (1) actual sales prices less costs to sell for properties sold, or contract amounts less costs to sell for properties in the process of being sold, (2) estimated sales prices, less costs to sell, based on discounted cash flow analyses, if no contract amounts are being negotiated (see Note 4, Fair Value Measurements), or (3) with respect to land parcels, estimated sales prices, less costs to sell, based on comparable sales completed in the selected market areas. Prior to the Company’s determination to dispose of properties, which are subsequently reclassified to “held for sale”, the Company performed recoverability analyses based on the estimated undiscounted cash flows that were expected to result from the real estate investments’ use and eventual disposal. The projected undiscounted cash flows of each property reflects that the carrying value of each real estate investment would be recovered. However, as a result of the properties’ meeting the “held for sale” criteria, such properties were written down to the lower of their carrying value and estimated fair values less costs to sell.
45
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
The Company follows the guidance for reporting discontinued operations, whereby a disposal of an individual property or group of properties is required to be reported in “discontinued operations” only if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. The results of operations for those properties not meeting such criteria are reported in “continuing operations” in the consolidated statements of operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents / Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in banks and short-term investments with original maturities when purchased of less than ninety days, and include cash at a consolidated joint venture of $
The terms of the secured term loans may require the Company to deposit certain replacement and other reserves with its lenders. Such “restricted cash” is generally available only for property-level requirements for which the reserves have been established. Restricted cash represents amounts held by lenders for real estate taxes, insurance, reserves for capital improvements, leasing costs and tenant security deposits.
Fair Value Measurements
The accounting guidance for fair value measurement establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three levels:
The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs and the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs. In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible while also considering counterparty credit risk in the assessment of fair value.
Revenue Recognition and Receivables
The Company's underlying assets relating to rental revenue activity is solely retail space. The Company retains substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership of these underlying assets and accounts for these leases as operating leases. The Company combines lease and nonlease components in lease contracts, which includes combining base rent and tenant reimbursement revenue.
Rental income with scheduled rent increases is recognized using the straight-line method over the respective non-cancelable terms of the leases. The aggregate excess of rental revenue recognized on a straight-line basis over the contractual base rents is included in receivables on the consolidated balance sheet. Leases also generally contain provisions under which the tenants reimburse the Company for a portion of property operating expenses and real estate taxes incurred, generally attributable to their respective allocable portions of gross leasable area. Such income is recognized in the periods earned. In addition, a limited number of operating leases contain contingent rent provisions under which tenants are required to pay, as additional rent, a percentage of their sales in excess of a specified amount.
The Company’s leases generally require the tenant to reimburse the Company for a substantial portion of its expenses incurred in operating, maintaining, repairing, insuring and managing the shopping center and common areas (collectively defined as Common Area Maintenance or “CAM” expenses). This significantly reduces the Company’s exposure to increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation or other outside factors. These reimbursements are considered nonlease components which the Company combines with the lease component. The Company calculates the tenant’s share of operating costs by multiplying the total amount of the operating costs by the tenant's pro-rata percentage of square footage to total square footage of the property. The Company also receives monthly payments for these reimbursements from substantially all its tenants throughout the year. The Company recognizes tenant reimbursements as variable lease income.
46
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
The Company defers recognition of contingent rental income until those specified sales targets are met. Revenues also include items such as lease termination fees, which tend to fluctuate more than rents from year to year. Termination fees are fees that the Company has agreed to accept in consideration for permitting certain tenants to terminate their lease prior to the contractual expiration. The Company recognizes lease termination fees, which are included in revenues on the consolidated statements of operations, in the year that the lease is terminated and collection of the fee is reasonably assured. Upon early lease termination, the Company records losses related to unrecovered intangibles and other assets.
In November 2018, the FASB clarified the existing accounting treatment relating to receivables arising from operating leases, stating that such receivables are not within the scope of the expected credit loss standard and that impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with the recently-adopted lease accounting standard. This required the Company, as of January 1, 2019, to review its existing lease portfolio to determine if all future lease payments are probable of collection and, if the Company determined that all future lease payments are not probable of collection, the Company will account for these leases on a cash basis. This required that all amounts that were historically recorded as bad debt expense, and previously included in operating expenses in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations, now be recorded as a direct reduction of rental revenues. In accordance with this guidance, $
Segment Information
The Company’s primary business is the ownership and operation of grocery-anchored shopping centers. The Company reviews operating and financial information for each property on an individual basis and, accordingly, each property represents an individual operating segment. The Company evaluates financial performance using property operating income, which consists of rental income and other property income, less operating expenses and real estate taxes. For the year ended December 31, 2022, one property constitutes approximately
Lease Commitments
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases, in which the Company is the lessee, are included in other assets and accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and the lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU assets include any lease payments made and excludes lease
47
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
incentives. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The Company elects the practical expedient to combine lease and associated nonlease components. The lease components are the majority of its leasing arrangements and the Company accounts for the combined component as an operating lease. In the event the Company modifies existing ground leases or enters into new ground leases, such leases may be classified as finance leases.
Transaction Costs
All costs associated with the Company's strategic alternatives process, including the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale and the Merger, were expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes
The Company, organized in 1984, has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). A REIT will generally not be subject to federal income taxation on that portion of its income that qualifies as REIT taxable income, to the extent that it distributes at least 90% of such REIT taxable income to its stockholders and complies with certain other requirements. As of December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all REIT requirements.
The Company follows a two-step approach for evaluating uncertain federal, state and local tax positions. Recognition (step one) occurs when an enterprise concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination. Measurement (step two) determines the amount of benefit that more-likely-than-not will be realized upon settlement. Derecognition of a tax position that was previously recognized would occur when a company subsequently determines that a tax position no longer meets the more-likely-than-not threshold of being sustained. The Company has not identified any uncertain tax positions which would require an accrual.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Prior to its merger with WHLR, the Company occasionally utilized derivative financial instruments, principally interest rate swaps, to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. The Company had established policies and procedures for risk assessment, and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments had to be effective in reducing the Company’s interest rate risk exposure in order to qualify for hedge accounting. When the terms of an underlying transaction were modified, or when the underlying hedged item ceased to exist, all changes in the fair value of the instrument were marked-to-market with changes in value included in net income for each period until the derivative financial instrument matured or was settled. Any derivative financial instrument used for risk management that did not meet the hedging criteria was marked-to-market with the changes in value included in net income. The Company has not entered into, and does not plan to enter into, derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Share-Based Compensation
During 2017, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”), which replaced the Company’s 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”). As of the effective date of the 2017 Plan, the Company may not grant any further awards under the 2012 Plan. The 2017 Plan establishes the procedures for the granting of, among other things, restricted stock awards. On May 1, 2019, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the 2017 Plan, which increased the maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued pursuant to the 2017 Plan by
48
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
shares that are contributed to the Rabbi Trusts are classified as treasury stock on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The 2017 Plan was terminated in connection with the merger with WHLR.
Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Information
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
Supplemental disclosure of cash activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Cash paid for interest |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Capitalization of interest and financing costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Buildings and improvements included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Recognition of right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Payoff of mortgages through mortgage assumptions |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance which enhances the methodology of measuring expected credit losses to include the use of forward-looking information to better calculate credit loss estimates. The guidance will apply to most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including accounts receivable, loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments in leases, and off-balance-sheet credit exposures. The guidance will require that the Company estimate the lifetime expected credit loss with respect to these receivables and record allowances that, when deducted from the balance of the receivables, represent the net amounts expected to be collected. The Company will also be required to disclose information about how it developed the allowances, including changes in the factors that influenced the Company’s estimate of expected credit losses and the reasons for those changes. In November 2018, the FASB issued guidance to clarify that operating lease receivables, including straight-line rent receivables recorded by lessors are explicitly excluded from the scope of the June 2016 guidance. The guidance was effective January 1, 2020, and it did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Note 3. Real Estate
Investment in unconsolidated joint venture
On May 5, 2021, the Company formed a joint venture with Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and Asland Capital Partners (the “Joint Venture”) for the construction of an approximately
On August 5, 2022, the Joint Venture was sold in connection with the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale. The Company contributed approximately $
2022 Acquisition
On June 28, 2022, the Company acquired the
2021 Acquisition
On October 14, 2021, the Company purchased the
49
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
Dispositions
Excluding the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale, during 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company sold the properties listed below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on Sale/ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
Date |
|
Sales |
|
|
Reversal of |
|
||
Property |
|
Location |
|
Sold |
|
Price |
|
|
Impairment |
|
||
2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Riverview Plaza |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Kempsville Crossing (land parcel) |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
The Commons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Camp Hill Shopping Center |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Metro Square |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|||
Oakland Mills outparcel building |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Glen Allen Shopping Center |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Pine Grove Plaza outparcel building |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Suffolk Plaza |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
Impairments of $
Impairments of $
The Company recorded impairment charges of $
Real Estate Held for Sale
As of December 31, 2022, there were
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, real estate held for sale consists of the following:
|
|
December 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Real estate held for sale |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Receivables |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets and deferred charges, net |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Total real estate held for sale |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
During 2021, the Company recorded a (1) reversal of impairment charges of $
50
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
Discontinued Operations
On July 7, 2022, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries completed the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale and the East River Park and Senator Square redevelopment asset sales for total gross proceeds of approximately $
Property Name |
|
Location |
|
Property Name |
|
Location |
Academy Plaza |
|
|
New London Mall |
|
||
Bethel Shopping Center |
|
|
Newport Plaza |
|
||
Carmans Plaza |
|
|
Northside Commons |
|
||
Christina Crossing |
|
|
Norwood Shopping Center |
|
||
Colonial Commons |
|
|
Oak Ridge Shopping Center |
|
||
Crossroads II |
|
|
Oakland Mills |
|
||
East River Park |
|
|
Palmyra Shopping Center |
|
||
Elmhurst Square |
|
|
Quartermaster Plaza |
|
||
Fishtown Crossing |
|
|
Senator Square |
|
||
Franklin Village Plaza |
|
|
Shoppes at Arts District |
|
||
General Booth Plaza |
|
|
Swede Square |
|
||
Girard Plaza |
|
|
The Point |
|
||
Groton Shopping Center |
|
|
The Shops as Bloomfield Station |
|
||
Halifax Plaza |
|
|
The Shops at Suffolk Downs |
|
||
Jordan Lane |
|
|
Trexlertown Plaza |
|
||
Kempsville Crossing |
|
|
Valley Plaza |
|
||
Lawndale Plaza |
|
|
Yorktowne Plaza |
|
||
Meadows Marketplace |
|
|
|
|
|
The Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale represents a strategic shift and has a material effect on the Company’s operations and financial results, and, therefore, the Company determined that it is deemed a discontinued operation. Accordingly, the portfolio of
51
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
The following is a summary of income (loss) from discontinued operations:
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
REVENUES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Rental revenues |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Total revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
EXPENSES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Operating, maintenance and management |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Real estate and other property-related taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
General and administrative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Total expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
OPERATING INCOME |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
NON-OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Interest expense, net |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Total non-operating income and expenses |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Impairment (charges) reversal |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Gain on sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
TOTAL INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
Net cash provided by operations from discontinued operations was $
Note 4. Fair Value Measurements
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, rents and other receivables, certain other assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and variable-rate debt approximate their fair value due to their terms and/or short-term nature. The fair value of the Company’s investments and liabilities related to deferred compensation were determined to be Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy, and were based on independent values provided by financial institutions.
The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate mortgage loan was estimated using available market information and discounted cash flow analyses based on borrowing rates the Company believes it could obtain with similar terms and maturities. As of December 31, 2022, the Company's fixed rate mortgage loan payable was paid off. As of December 31, 2021, the fair value of the Company’s fixed rate mortgage loan payable, which was determined to be Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy, was $
52
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
2021. The Company did not have the unsecured revolving credit facility, mortgage note receivable and finance lease obligation as of December 31, 2022.
The interest rate swaps were terminated as part of the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale. The valuations of the liabilities for the Company’s interest rate swaps, which are measured on a recurring basis, were determined to be Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy, and were based on independent values provided by financial institutions. Such valuations were determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analyses, on the expected cash flows of each derivative. The analyses reflect the contractual terms of the swaps, including the period to maturity, and user-observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves (“significant other observable inputs”). The fair value calculation also includes an amount for risk of non-performance using “significant unobservable inputs” such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default. The Company has concluded that, as of December 31, 2021, the fair value associated with the “significant unobservable inputs” relating to the Company’s risk of non-performance was insignificant to the overall fair value of the interest rate swap agreements and, as a result, that the relevant inputs for purposes of calculating the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements, in their entirety, were based upon “significant other observable inputs”.
Nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the consolidated financial statements consist of real estate held for sale, which, if applicable, are measured on a nonrecurring basis, and have been determined to be (1) Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy, where applicable, based on the respective contracts of sale, adjusted for closing costs and expenses, or (2) Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy, where applicable, based on estimated sales prices, adjusted for closing costs and expenses, determined by discounted cash flow analyses, income capitalization analyses or a sales comparison approach if no contracts had been concluded. The discounted cash flow and income capitalization analyses include all estimated cash inflows and outflows over a specific holding period and, where applicable, any estimated debt premiums. These cash flows were composed of unobservable inputs which included forecasted rental revenues and expenses based upon existing in-place leases, market conditions and expectations for growth. Capitalization rates and discount rates utilized in these analyses were based upon observable rates that the Company believed to be within a reasonable range of current market rates for the respective properties. The sales comparison approach is utilized for certain land values and includes comparable sales that were completed in the selected market areas. The comparable sales utilized in these analyses were based upon observable per acre rates that the Company believes to be within a reasonable range of current market rates for the respective properties.
As a result of the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale, the Company has
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|||||||||||||
Description |
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
||||
Investments related to deferred compensation liabilities (a) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Deferred compensation liabilities (b) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
||
(b) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
In connection with the dual-track strategic alternatives process, it was determined that certain of the Company’s operating properties would be sold significantly prior to the end of their previously estimated hold periods. As of December 31, 2021, the Company tested the recoverability of real estate held for use and, as a result of the carrying amount of the assets not being deemed recoverable and exceeding their fair value as measured on an asset by asset basis, recorded $
As of December 31, 2021, real estate held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet consisted of
53
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
Note 5. Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents in excess of insured amounts and tenant receivables. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions. Management performs ongoing credit evaluations of its tenants and requires certain tenants to provide security deposits and/or suitable guarantees.
Excluding properties held for sale and properties included in discontinued operations, there were
Excluding properties held for sale, the Company’s properties are located largely in the Northeast, which exposes it to greater economic risks than if the properties it owned were located in a greater number of geographic regions (in particular,
Note 6. Receivables
Receivables at December 31, 2022 and 2021 are composed of the following:
|
|
December 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Rents and other receivables, net |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Mortgage note receivable |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Straight-line rents, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
54
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
Note 7. Other Assets and Deferred Charges, Net
Other assets and deferred charges, net, at December 31, 2022 and 2021 are composed of the following:
|
|
December 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Lease origination costs (a) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Prepaid expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Investments related to share-based compensation |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Unsecured revolving credit facility financing costs |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Total other assets and deferred charges, net |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
Deferred charges are amortized over the terms of the related agreements. Amortization expense related to deferred charges (including amortization of deferred financing costs included in non-operating income and expense), net of discontinued operations, amounted to $
|
|
Lease |
|
|
|
|
origination |
|
|
|
|
costs |
|
|
2023 |
|
$ |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
|
|
2027 |
|
|
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
55
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
Note 8. Mortgage Loans Payable and Credit Facilities
Debt and finance lease obligations are composed of the following at December 31, 2022 and 2021 and collateralized by
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
December 31, 2021 |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual |
|
|
|
|
Contractual |
||
|
|
Maturity |
|
Balance |
|
|
interest rates |
|
Balance |
|
|
interest rates |
||
Description |
|
dates |
|
outstanding |
|
|
weighted-average |
|
outstanding |
|
|
weighted-average |
||
Fixed-rate mortgage |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Franklin Village |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
n/a |
|
$ |
|
|
|||
Shops at Suffolk Downs (a) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|||
Trexlertown Plaza (a) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|||
The Point (a) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|||
Christina Crossing (a) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|||
Lawndale Plaza (a) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|||
Senator Square finance lease obligation |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
||
Credit facilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Variable-rate: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Revolving credit facility (b) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|||
Fixed-rate: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Term loan (c) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|||
Term loan (c) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|||
Term loan (c) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|||
Term loan (c) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|||
Term loan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|||
Term loan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
n/a |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Unamortized issuance costs |
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
The finance lease obligation was part of the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale and had a zero balance at December 31, 2022.
Mortgage Loans Payable
On May 5, 2021, the Company closed a non-recourse mortgage for $
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loans
On August 30, 2021, the Company amended its then-existing $
56
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
revolving credit facility was able to be extended, at the Company’s option for
Although the credit facility was unsecured, borrowing availability was based on unencumbered property adjusted net operating income for the trailing twelve months, as defined in the agreements. The unsecured revolving credit facility and term loans were paid off and terminated on July 11, 2022, in connection with the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale.
KeyBank Credit Agreement
On August 22, 2022, the Company entered into a loan agreement with KeyBank National Association for $
Secured Term Loans
On October 28, 2022, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with Guggenheim Real Estate, LLC for $
On December 21, 2022, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with Citi Real Estate Funding Inc. (“Citi Loan Agreement”) for $
Scheduled Principal Payments
Scheduled principal payments on secured term loans at December 31, 2022, due on various dates from 2032 to 2033, are as follows:
2023 |
|
$ |
— |
|
2024 |
|
|
— |
|
2025 |
|
|
— |
|
2026 |
|
|
— |
|
2027 |
|
|
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
Derivative Financial Instruments
The interest rate swaps were terminated as part of the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale for a $
57
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified into earnings as an increase or reduction to interest expense in the same periods in which the hedged interest payments affect earnings.
The following is a summary of the derivative financial instruments held by the Company at December 31, 2021:
December 31, 2021 |
||||||||||||||
Designation/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair |
|
|
Maturity |
|
Balance sheet |
||
Cash flow |
|
Derivative |
|
Count |
|
|
value |
|
|
dates |
|
location |
||
Qualifying |
|
Interest rate swaps |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The notional values of the interest rate swaps held by the Company at December 31, 2021 were $
The following presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the consolidated statements of operations and the consolidated statements of equity for the years ended 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively:
|
|
|
|
(Loss) gain recognized in other |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
(effective portion) |
|
|||||||||
Designation/ |
|
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
Cash flow |
|
Derivative |
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
Qualifying |
|
Interest rate swaps |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
(Loss) recognized in other |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
reclassified into earnings (effective portion) |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
Classification |
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Note 9. Intangible Lease Asset/Liability
Unamortized intangible lease liabilities that relate to below-market leases amounted to $
The unamortized balance of intangible lease liabilities at December 31, 2022 is net of accumulated amortization of $
2023 |
|
$ |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
|
|
2027 |
|
|
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is the lessee under several ground lease agreements and its executive office lease agreement. The executive office lease agreement was terminated during the third quarter of 2022. As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s weighted average remaining lease term is approximately
58
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
The following table represents a reconciliation of the Company’s undiscounted future minimum lease payments for its ground lease and executive office lease agreements applicable to lease liabilities as of December 31, 2022:
2023 |
|
$ |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
|
|
2027 |
|
|
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
|
|
Total undiscounted future minimum lease payments |
|
|
|
|
Future minimum lease payments, discount |
|
|
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
Insurance
The Company carries comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage, business interruption and rental loss insurance covering all of the properties in its portfolio under an insurance policy, in addition to other coverages, such as trademark and pollution coverage that may be appropriate for certain of its properties. Additionally, the Company carries a directors’, officers’, entity and employment practices liability insurance policy that covers such claims made against the Company and its directors and officers. The Company believes the policy specifications and insured limits are appropriate and adequate for its properties given the relative risk of loss, the cost of the coverage and industry practice; however, its insurance coverage may not be sufficient to fully cover its losses.
Regulatory and Environmental
Under various federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations, an owner or operator of real estate may be required to investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances, or petroleum product releases, at its properties. The owner may be liable to governmental entities or to third parties for property damage, and for investigation and cleanup costs incurred by such parties in connection with any contamination. Generally, the Company’s tenants must comply with environmental laws and meet any remediation requirements. In addition, leases typically impose obligations on tenants to indemnify the Company from any compliance costs the Company may incur as a result of environmental conditions on the property caused by the tenant. However, if a lease does not require compliance, or if a tenant fails to or cannot comply, the Company could be forced to pay these costs. Management is unaware of any environmental matters that would have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Litigation
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of its business, including, but not limited to commercial disputes. The Company believes that such litigation, claims and administrative proceedings will not have a material adverse impact on its financial position or its results of operations. The Company records a liability when it considers the loss probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. In addition, the below legal proceedings are in process:
As described in Note 1, on March 2, 2022, the Company entered into definitive agreements for the Transactions, which provided for the sale of the Company and its assets in a series of related all-cash transactions. On April 5, 2022, a purported stockholder of the Company filed a complaint against the Company and the Board of Directors prior to the Merger in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, entitled Stein v. Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. et. al., Civil Action No. 22-cv-1944. On April 6, 2022, another purported stockholder of the Company filed a complaint against the Company and the former Board of Directors in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, entitled Wang v. Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. et. al., Civil Action No. 22-cv-1975. On April 18, 2022, another purported stockholder of the Company filed a complaint against the Company and the former Board of Directors in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, entitled Whitfield v. Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. et. al., Civil Action No. 22-cv-02204. Also on April 18, 2022, a purported stockholder of the Company filed a complaint against the Company and the former Board of Directors in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, entitled Waterman v. Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. et. al., Civil Action No. 22-cv-01489. On April 22, 2022, a purported stockholder of the Company filed a complaint against the Company and the former Board of Directors in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, entitled Thornburgh v. Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. et. al., Civil Action No. 22-cv-02304. In each action, the complaint alleged violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) in connection with the proposed Transactions. The complaints generally allege that the preliminary proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed by the Company
59
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
with the SEC on April 5, 2022 omitted material information regarding financial projections, the financial analysis conducted by JLL Securities in connection with its fairness opinion, conflicts of interest on behalf of JLL Securities and BofA Securities, and the terms of BofA Securities’ engagement. The complaints sought, among other things, an injunction preventing the consummation of the Transactions, or, in the event the Transactions are consummated, damages resulting from Defendants’ alleged violations of the Exchange Act. The lawsuits were each voluntarily dismissed in July, August or September 2022.
On April 8, 2022, several purported holders of the Company’s outstanding preferred stock filed a putative class action complaint against the Company, the Board of Directors prior to the Merger, and WHLR in Montgomery County Circuit Court, Maryland entitled Sydney, et al. v. Cedar Realty Trust, Inc., et al., (Case No. C-15-CV-22-001527). The original complaint alleged on behalf of a putative class of holders of the Company’s preferred stock, among other things, against the Company and the former Board of Directors, claims for breach of contract with respect to the articles supplementary governing the terms of the Company’s preferred stock, breach of fiduciary duty, and tortious interference and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty against WHLR. The original complaint sought, among other things, a declaration that holders of the Company’s preferred stock are entitled to a liquidation preference as set forth in the articles supplementary governing the terms of the Company’s preferred stock, compensatory damages, and an injunction enjoining the merger with WHLR, and an injunction enjoining the distribution to the Company’s common shareholders of the proceeds of any of the Transactions pending a determination of the merits of Plaintiffs’ claims.
On May 6, 2022, Plaintiffs in the Sydney action filed an amended complaint. The amended complaint alleged on behalf of a putative class of holders of the Company’s preferred stock, among other things, against the Company and the former Board of Directors, claims for breach of contract with respect to the articles supplementary governing the terms of the Company’s preferred stock and breach of fiduciary duty, and, against WHLR, tortious interference and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. The Sydney amended complaint sought, among other things, (i) a declaration that holders of the Company’s preferred stock are entitled to exercise either their liquidation rights or conversion rights as set forth in the articles supplementary, (ii) compensatory damages, (iii) an injunction enjoining the distribution to the Company’s common shareholders of the proceeds of the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale, and (iv) an injunction enjoining the merger with WHLR. On May 6, 2022, the Plaintiffs in Sydney filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to temporarily enjoin, until the final resolution of the litigation (i) the distribution of the gross proceeds from the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale to the common stockholders, (ii) the closing of the merger with WHLR, and (iii) the imposition of a constructive trust over the gross proceeds from both the Grocery Anchored Portfolio Sale and the merger with WHLR. Also on May, 6, 2022, a purported holder of the Company’s outstanding preferred stock filed a putative class action complaint against the Company and the Board of Directors prior to the Merger in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, entitled Kim v. Cedar Realty Trust, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 22-cv-01103. The original complaint alleged on behalf of a putative class of holders of the Company’s preferred stock, among other things, claims for declaratory and injunctive relief with respect to the articles supplementary governing the terms of the Company’s preferred stock and breach of fiduciary duty. On May 11, 2022, the Company, the former Board of Directors of the Company and WHLR removed the Sydney action to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Case No. 8:22-cv-01142-GLR. On May 16, 2022, the court ordered that a hearing on the Sydney Plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction will be held on June 22, 2022. On June 2, 2022, the Plaintiffs in Kim filed a motion for a preliminary injunction (i) to require that the Company provide preferred shareholders with a vote to approve the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale and the Merger, and (ii) requiring Cedar disclose to preferred shareholders that the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale and Merger entitled the preferred stockholders to exercise their change of control conversion right. The court agreed to consolidate the Kim Plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction with the Sydney Plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction, and to hear arguments on both motions at the hearing on June 22, 2022.
On June 23, 2022, following a hearing on both the Sydney and Kim motions for preliminary injunction, the court issued an order denying both motions for preliminary injunction, holding that the Plaintiffs in both cases were unlikely to succeed on the merits of any of their contractual or fiduciary duty claims, and that Plaintiffs had not established that they would suffer irreparable harm if the injunction was denied. By order dated July 11, 2022, the Court consolidated the Sydney and Kim cases and set an August 24, 2022 deadline for the Plaintiffs in both cases to file a consolidated amended complaint. Plaintiffs filed their amended complaint on August 24, 2022, and, on October 7, 2022, Defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint. Plaintiffs filed their opposition to the motion to dismiss on November 21, 2022 and Defendants filed a reply brief in support of their motions to dismiss on December 21, 2022. On February 2, 2023, Plaintiffs filed a motion to certify a question of law to the Maryland Supreme Court, and Defendants’ opposition to Plaintiff's motion was filed on February 24, 2023. At this juncture, the outcome of the litigation is uncertain.
On July 11, 2022, a purported holder of the Company's outstanding preferred stock filed a complaint against the Company and the Board of Directors prior to the Merger in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, entitled High Income Securities Fund v. Cedar Realty Trust, Inc., et al., No. 2:22-cv-4031. The complaint alleged that the Defendants violated Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by making false and misleading statements and omissions, and that
60
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
the former Board of Directors are control persons under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. On August 12, 2022, Defendants requested permission to file a motion to dismiss, and Plaintiff responded to Defendants’ request on September 7, 2022. The court granted Defendants’ request to file a motion to dismiss on October 25, 2022. Defendants served their motion to dismiss on December 23, 2022, which Plaintiff opposed on January 27, 2023. Defendants filed a reply brief on the motion to dismiss on February 17, 2023. At this juncture, the outcome of the litigation is uncertain.
On October 14, 2022, a purported holder of the Company's outstanding preferred stock filed a putative class action against the Company, the Board of Directors prior to the Merger, and WHLR in Nassau County Supreme Court entitled Krasner v. Cedar Realty Trust, Inc., et al., (Case No. 613985/2022). The complaint alleges on behalf of a putative class of holders of the Company's preferred stock, among other things, against the Company and the former Board of Directors, claims for breach of contract with respect to the articles supplementary governing the terms of the Company's preferred stock, breach of fiduciary duty, and tortious interference and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty against WHLR. The complaint seeks, among other things, an award of monetary damages, attorneys' fees, and expert fees. Defendants removed the case to a federal court on November 14, 2022. On December 14, 2022, Plaintiff moved to remand the case, Defendants opposed Plaintiff's remand motion on December 28, 2022, and Plaintiff filed a reply brief in support of his remand motion on January 4, 2023. Defendants' deadline to answer, move to dismiss, or otherwise respond to the complaint is 30 days after a ruling on Plaintiff's remand motion. At this juncture, the outcome of the litigation is uncertain.
Note 11. Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred Stock
The Company’s
The Company’s
The Company is authorized to issue up to
|
|
Series B |
|
|
Series C |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Preferred Stock |
|
|
Preferred Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Par value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Liquidation value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
||||||||||
|
|
Series B |
|
|
Series C |
|
|
Series B |
|
|
Series C |
|
||||
|
|
Preferred Stock |
|
|
Preferred Stock |
|
|
Preferred Stock |
|
|
Preferred Stock |
|
||||
Shares authorized |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Shares issued and outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Balance |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
Common Stock
On November 25, 2020, the Company effected a reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock.
The Company had a Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan (“DRIP”) which offered a convenient method for shareholders to invest cash dividends and/or make optional cash payments to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Such
61
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
purchases were at
Dividends
The following table provides a summary of dividends declared and paid per share:
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
Common stock |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
On August 9, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors declared a special dividend on shares of the Company's outstanding common stock of $
On August 26, 2022, the Company paid merger consideration of $
At December 31, 2022 and 2021, there were $
On
Note 12. Revenues
Rental revenues for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are comprised of the following:
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
Base rents |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Expense recoveries |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Percentage rent |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Straight-line rents |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Amortization of intangible lease liabilities, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Total rents |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
On January 31, 2020, the Company agreed to a cash payment in consideration for permitting a dark anchor tenant to terminate its lease prior to the contractual expiration at Metro Square. As a result of this termination, revenues for 2020, included approximately $
The Company reviews the collectability of charges under its tenant operating leases on a regular basis, taking into consideration changes in factors such as the tenant’s payment history, the financial condition of the tenant, business conditions in the industry in which the tenant operates and economic conditions in the area where the property is located. The Company’s review of collectability of charges under its operating leases includes any accrued rental revenues related to the straight-line method of reporting rental revenue. The Company identified various tenants where collection was no longer considered probable, and therefore, during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, $
62
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
Annual future base rents due to be received under non-cancelable operating leases in effect at December 31, 2022 are approximately as follows:
2023 |
|
$ |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
|
|
2027 |
|
|
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
Total future minimum rents do not include expense recoveries for real estate taxes and operating costs, or percentage rents based upon tenants’ sales volume. Such amounts do not include amortization of intangible lease liabilities.
Note 13. 401(k) Retirement Plan
The Company had a 401(k) retirement plan (the “Plan”), which permitted all eligible employees to defer a portion of their compensation under the Code. Pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, the Company could make discretionary contributions on behalf of eligible employees. The Company made contributions to the Plan of $
Note 14. Share-Based Compensation
The following tables set forth certain share-based compensation information for 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively:
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
Expense relating to share/unit grants |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Amounts capitalized |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Total charged to operations |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Shares |
|
|
grant date value |
|
|
|
|
|||
Unvested shares/units, December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|||
Restricted share grants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Vested during period |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Forfeitures/cancellations/retirements |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Unvested shares/units, December 31, 2022 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2022, there were
During 2022, there were
The total fair values of shares vested during 2022, 2021, and 2020 were $
President and CEO Employment Contract
On June 15, 2018, the Company’s then-President and CEO was granted a market performance-based equity award of
63
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
to be reinvested into the Company’s common stock for which payment will only be made for the portion of the market performance-based equity award that are earned and vest. During the three years ending June 15, 2021 (the “Interim Performance Period”), a maximum of
On August 22, 2022, due to a change in control of the Company in connection with the Transactions, the RSUs fully vested. On August 26, 2022, the Company's then-President and CEO received an aggregate cash payment of $
Note 15. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to the Company’s common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period including participating securities (restricted shares that have non-forfeitable rights to receive dividends issued pursuant to the Company’s share-based compensation program are considered participating securities). Unvested restricted shares that are participating securities are not allocated net losses and/or any excess of dividends declared over net income, as such amounts are allocated entirely to the common shareholders. For 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company had
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|||
Numerator |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net loss from continuing operations |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Preferred stock dividends |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Net earnings (loss) allocated to unvested shares |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Loss from continuing operations, net of noncontrolling interest, attributable to vested common shares |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of noncontrolling interests, attributable to vested common shares |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||
Net income (loss) attributable to vested common shares |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
Denominator |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Weighted average number of vested common shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders (basic and diluted): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Continuing operations |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Fully-diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into shares of common stock. For 2022, 2021 and 2020,
64
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2022
award had no impact in calculating diluted EPS for those periods. Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests of the Operating Partnership has been excluded from the numerator and the related OP Units have been excluded from the denominator for the purpose of calculating diluted EPS as there would have been no dilutive effect had such amounts been included. The weighted average number of OP Units outstanding was
Note 16. Related Party Transactions
With the completion of the Company's merger with WHLR, the Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of WHLR. WHLR performs property management and leasing services for the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid WHLR $
Note 17. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
March 31 |
|
|
June 30 |
|
|
September 30 |
|
|
December 31 |
|
||||
2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Net (loss) income |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
Per common share (basic and diluted) - continuing operations |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Per common share (basic and diluted) - discontinued operations |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Per common share (basic and diluted) - total |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
||
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
Per common share (basic and diluted) - continuing operations |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
Per common share (basic and diluted) - discontinued operations |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
||
Per common share (basic and diluted) - total |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
65
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Schedule III
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year built/ |
|
Gross |
|
|
Initial cost to the Company |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
Year |
|
Percent |
|
Year last |
|
leasable |
|
|
|
|
|
Building and |
|
|||
Property |
|
State |
|
acquired |
|
owned |
|
renovated |
|
area |
|
|
Land |
|
|
Improvements |
|
|||
Brickyard Plaza |
|
CT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Carll's Corner |
|
NJ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||||
Coliseum Marketplace |
|
VA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Fairview Commons |
|
PA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Fieldstone Marketplace |
|
MA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Gold Star Plaza |
|
PA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Golden Triangle |
|
PA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Hamburg Square |
|
PA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Kings Plaza |
|
MA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Oakland Commons |
|
CT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Patuxent Crossing |
|
MD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Pine Grove Plaza |
|
NJ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Oregon Avenue |
|
PA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
South Philadelphia |
|
PA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Southington Center |
|
CT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|||||
Timpany Plaza |
|
MA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Trexler Mall |
|
PA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Washington Centers Shoppes |
|
NJ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Webster Commons |
|
MA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Other |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
||
Total Portfolio |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross amount at which carried at |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
(continued) |
|
Subsequent |
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|
cost |
|
|
|
|
|
Building and |
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|||||
Property |
|
capitalized (a) |
|
|
Land |
|
|
improvements |
|
|
Total |
|
|
depreciation |
|
|
|||||
Brickyard Plaza |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Carll's Corner |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
||||
Coliseum Marketplace |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Fairview Commons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Fieldstone Marketplace |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Gold Star Plaza |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Golden Triangle |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Hamburg Square |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Kings Plaza |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Oakland Commons |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Patuxent Crossing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Pine Grove Plaza |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Oregon Avenue |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
South Philadelphia |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Southington Center |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Timpany Plaza |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Trexler Mall |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Washington Centers Shoppes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Webster Commons |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Other |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Total Portfolio |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
66
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Schedule III
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
The changes in real estate and accumulated depreciation for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are as follows:
Cost |
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
|||
Balance, beginning of the year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|||
Properties transferred to/from held for sale |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
Outparcel dispositions |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
Property impairments |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
Improvements and betterments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Balance, end of the year |
|
$ |
|
(b) |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Accumulated depreciation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Balance, beginning of the year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|||
Properties transferred to/from held for sale |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
Outparcel dispositions |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
Depreciation expense (c) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Balance, end of the year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net book value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
67
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure: None
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its filings under the Exchange Act is reported within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In this regard, the Company has formed a Disclosure Committee currently comprising several of the Company’s executive officers as well as certain other employees with knowledge of information that may be considered in the SEC reporting process. The Disclosure Committee has responsibility for the development and assessment of the financial and non-financial information to be included in the reports filed with the SEC, and assists the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer in connection with their certifications contained in the Company’s SEC filings. The Disclosure Committee meets regularly and reports to the Audit Committee on a quarterly or more frequent basis. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated its disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2022, and have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
There has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2022 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Effective August 22, 2022, the Company completed the merger with WHLR, and, as a result, the Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of WHLR. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting continued to operate as designed to support the consolidation of the Company into WHLR. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well-designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
68
Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in “Internal Control – 2013 Integrated Framework”. Based on such assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2022, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
Cherry Bekaert LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which appears elsewhere in this report.
69
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Cedar Realty Trust Inc.’s (the Company’s) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022, and our report dated March 2, 2023, expressed an unqualified opinion.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying “Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” included in Item 9A- Controls and Procedures in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Cherry Bekaert LLP
Virginia Beach, Virginia
March 2, 2023
70
Item 9B. Other Information: None
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections: Not applicable
Part III.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The affairs of the Company are managed by the Board of Directors. Directors are elected annually by the Company's sole holder of its common stock, and serve until a successor has been elected or approved.
Code of Ethics and Governance Principles
The Company is operating under WHLR's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Members of the Board of Directors, a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Employees, Officers, Agents and Representatives, and Corporate Governance Principles, which are available on our website, all under separate headings as allowed by the NYSE Governance Requirements. The Company will post any amendments to or waivers from its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (to the extent applicable to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) on its website.
The issuer is relying on the general exemption to the requirement to have an audit committee provided in Rule 10A-3. WHLR satisfies the requirements of Rule 10A-3 with respect to its common stock listed on NASDAQ. The issuer is 100% beneficially owned by WHLR. The issuer has listed on the NYSE only non-convertible, non-participating preferred securities.
Members of the Board of Directors
As of December 31, 2022, the members of the Board of Directors are identified below:
Directors |
Kerry G. Campbell |
Paula J. Poskon |
E.J. Borrack |
M. Andrew Franklin |
Crystal Plum |
Kerry G. Campbell
Chairman of the Board of Directors; Independent Director
Age — 57
Director since 2022
Mr. Campbell was appointed to the Board of Directors in August 2022. Mr. Campbell is the principal of a financial litigation and investment management consulting firm, Kerry Campbell LLC, where since February 2014, he has served as a financial expert witness for arbitrations and litigations and provided consulting services to financial institutions and investors. His firm has been retained by institutional investors, high net worth investors and large global diversified financial institution.
Mr. Campbell received an M.B.A in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Finance summa cum laude from Fordham University Gabelli School of Business. Mr. Campbell is an Approved FINRA Dispute Resolution Arbitrator, a Chartered Financial Analyst®, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst and a Securities Experts Roundtable Member.
Mr. Campbell has been chosen as a director based on his 30 plus years of extensive and diverse financial industry experience, together with his experience as a financial expert witness on behalf of defendants and plaintiffs in arbitrations and litigations.
71
E.J. Borrack
Independent Director
Age — 58
Director since 2022
E.J. Borrack was appointed to the Board of Directors in August 2022. Since 2013, she has been the General Counsel of The Stilwell Group, a group of private investment partnerships with a focus on activist investing in financially-related, small-cap companies. Previously, she was the Chief Compliance Officer of two SEC registered investment advisers. She was also the General Counsel of Wealthfront during that company’s start-up phase.
Ms. Borrack graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and has a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania.
Ms. Borrack has been chosen as a director based on her breadth of experience working on issues involving complex commercial litigation, regulatory compliance, securities regulation, and corporate governance.
Paula J. Poskon
Independent Director
Age — 57
Director since 2022
Ms. Poskon was appointed to the Board of Directors in August 2022. Ms. Poskon is the President of STOV Advisory Services LLC (“STOV”), which offers professional consulting and advisory services to company executives and institutional investors in the areas of real estate, capital markets, investor relations, and diversity and inclusion. She founded STOV in July 2016. For the past 15 years of her two decades of capital markets experience, Ms. Poskon specialized in real estate investment trusts.
Ms. Poskon graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a concentration in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration in Finance with a concentration in Strategic Management and considerable coursework in real estate finance.
Ms. Poskon has been chosen as a director based on her more than 20 years of capital markets experience in equity research and investment banking, the majority of which was focused on public REITs.
M. Andrew Franklin and Crystal Plum
Mr. Franklin and Ms. Plum are also officers of the Company, and their biographies are included below.
Executive Officers
M. Andrew Franklin
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President since August 2022
Age — 42
Andrew Franklin was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and President and Director in August 2022, in connection with consummation of the Company's merger with WHLR. He was also appointed as Chief Executive Officer and President of WHLR in 2021 and previously served as their Interim Chief Executive Officer since July 2021, Chief Operating Officer since February 2018, and Senior Vice President of Operations since January 2017. Mr. Franklin has over 23 years of commercial real estate experience. Mr. Franklin is responsible for overseeing the property management, lease administration and leasing divisions of our growing portfolio of commercial assets. Prior to joining us, Mr. Franklin was a partner with Broad Reach Retail Partners where he ran the day-to-day operations of the company, managing the leasing team as well as overseeing the asset, property and construction management of the portfolio with assets totaling $50 million. Mr. Franklin is a graduate of the University of Maryland, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.
72
Crystal Plum
Director and Chief Financial Officer since August 2022
Age — 41
Crystal Plum was appointed as Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Director in August 2022, in connection with consummation of the Company's merger with WHLR. She was also appointed as Chief Financial Officer of WHLR in February 2020 and previously served as their Vice President of Financial Reporting and Corporate Accounting from March 2018 to February 2020 and as their Director of Financial Reporting from September 2016 to March 2018. Prior to that time, she served as Manager at Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP from September 2014 to August 2016 and as Supervisor at Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP from 2008 to September 2014. Ms. Plum has experience reviewing and performing audits, reviews, compilations and tax engagements for a diverse group of clients, as well as banking experience. Ms. Plum is a Certified Public Accountant and has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration — Accounting and Finance from Old Dominion University.
Director Compensation
Directors who are employees or officers of our Company do not receive any compensation for their services. For fiscal year 2022 prior to August 22, 2022, non-employee directors were entitled to annual cash compensation in the amount of $28,000 for their services as directors, with an additional annual cash retainer of $60,000 for service as Chair. Additionally, non-employee directors were entitled to annual cash compensation in the amount of $3,000 for committee membership, with the committee chair entitled to $12,000. Each non-employee director, other than Mr. Campbell, Ms. Poskon and Ms. Borrack, also received a grant of restricted stock with a grant date fair value of $55,000 paid quarterly that will vest in full on the third anniversary of each quarterly grant date.
For fiscal year 2022 subsequent to August 22, 2022, non-employee and non-officer directors were entitled to annual cash compensation in the amount of $50,000 for their services as directors, with an additional annual cash retainer of $40,000 for service as Chair, to be paid quarterly.
We reimburse each of our directors for his or her expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board of Directors and committee meetings.
The following table summarizes our directors’ compensation for 2022:
|
|
Fees Earned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
or Paid |
|
|
Stock Awards (1) (2) |
|
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
||||
Name |
|
in Cash ($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
Compensation ($) |
|
|
Total ($) |
|
||||
Kerry G. Campbell |
|
|
32,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
32,000 |
|
Paula J. Poskon |
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
E.J. Borrack |
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
M. Andrew Franklin |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Crystal Plum |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Abraham Eisenstat |
|
|
37,500 |
|
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
Gregg A. Gonsalves |
|
|
70,400 |
|
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
(3) |
|
197,900 |
|
Sabrina L. Kanner |
|
|
37,500 |
|
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
Darcy D. Morris |
|
|
29,800 |
|
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
57,300 |
|
Steven G. Rogers |
|
|
37,500 |
|
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
Richard H. Ross |
|
|
29,800 |
|
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
57,300 |
|
Bruce J. Schanzer |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Sharon Stern |
|
|
29,800 |
|
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
57,300 |
|
73
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors, executive officers, and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock to file reports with the SEC indicating their holdings of, and transactions in, the Company’s equity securities. Based solely on a review of copies of these reports, we believe that all of our executive officers, directors, and 10% owners timely complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements for fiscal 2022, except for one late Form 4 for each of Mr. Eisenstat, Mr. Gonsalves, Ms. Kanner, Mr. Morris, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Ross and Ms. Stern reporting one transaction related to grants of restricted stock under the Company’s incentive plan.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) discusses the principles underlying our executive compensation policies and decisions for our named executive officers. The discussion relates to the Company’s named executive officers (“NEOs”). The Company’s NEOs for 2022 were:
NEOs |
M. Andrew Franklin, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Bruce J. Schanzer, former President and Chief Executive Officer |
Jennifer Bitterman, former Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
Crystal Plum, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary |
Robin M. Zeigler, former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
No other employees of the Company qualified as executive officers under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.
Mr. Franklin and Ms. Plum were appointed to their roles on August 22, 2022, upon the completion of the Company’s acquisition by WHLR (the “Merger”). Mr. Schanzer and Ms. Bitterman served in their capacities noted above until the completion of the Merger. Ms. Zeigler resigned from her position on May 6, 2022. Mr. Franklin and Ms. Plum are referred to as the “Current NEOs” and Mr. Schanzer, Ms. Bitterman and Ms. Zeigler are referred to as the “Prior NEOs” in this Item 11.
Introduction
The compensation of the Company’s Prior NEOs was determined by the Company’s compensation committee that existed prior to the Merger (the “Pre-Merger Compensation Committee”). Upon the completion of the Merger, because the Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of WHLR and its only equity securities that are registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are shares of non-voting preferred stock, the Pre-Merger Compensation Committee was disbanded and its charter rescinded. Therefore, the discussion of the Company’s compensation practices and philosophy in place prior the Merger is based on information made available to the Company’s current Board of Directors and management.
Following the Merger, the only two officers of the Company, Mr. Franklin and Ms. Plum, also serve as officers of WHLR. Mr. Franklin and Ms. Plum are compensated by WHLR, and the Company is obligated to reimburse WHLR for certain costs pursuant to a Cost Sharing and Reimbursement Agreement, including compensation paid by WHLR to Mr. Franklin and Ms. Plum for services provided to Cedar. However, in 2022, the Company did not reimburse WHLR for any of these costs because of certain limitations on the aggregate amount of payments that may be made from the Company to WHLR under the Cost Sharing and Reimbursement Agreement. In future years, it is expected that the Company will reimburse WHLR for the compensation paid by WHLR to Mr. Franklin and Ms. Plum for services provided to Cedar by Mr. Franklin and Ms. Plum.
74
The compensation paid by WHLR to Mr. Franklin and Ms. Plum will be more fully described in WHLR’s proxy statement that will be filed in connection with its 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.
Pre-Merger Compensation Philosophy
The pre-Merger executive compensation program was designed to attract and retain talented senior executives, ensure that their compensation remained competitive relative to the compensation paid to similarly-situated senior executives at comparable publicly-traded REITs, and reward them for superior performance. The program was further designed to reward both short- and long-term performance and to align the senior executives’ and former stockholders’ interests. To that end, the compensation packages provided to the Prior NEOs included both cash and share-based incentive compensation that rewarded performance as measured, in large part, against corporate and individual goals intended to enhance stockholder value over the long term.
The Pre-Merger Compensation Committee intended that the overall compensation of the pre-Merger senior executives should primarily reflect their accomplishments as a management team in achieving established key objectives, including the execution of the strategic plan and that the achievement of these key objectives would ultimately enhance stockholder value of the pre-Merger Company as reflected in an increased share price. The Pre-Merger Compensation Committee believed the compensation of the Company’s senior executives should not be based on short-term performance of the Company shares, whether favorable or unfavorable, but rather that the long-term price of the Company’s shares is a better reflection of the management of the Company by its senior executives. In this regard, the restricted stock historically granted to the Company’s senior executives had vesting periods ranging from three to seven years. The Company’s senior executives were aligned with the pre-Merger Company’s shareholders in that they were also subject to the downside risk of a decrease in the value of their compensation in the event the price of our shares declines.
Consistent with this philosophy, the executive pay program used a combination of base salary, annual cash incentive bonuses and long-term equity incentive awards, with a significant portion of compensation being at risk and dependent on the performance of the Company and the executive, to align executive interests with those of stockholders.
Pre-Merger Compensation Objectives
Prior to the Merger, the Pre-Merger Compensation Committee used three primary pay elements in its executive compensation program: base salary, annual cash incentive bonuses and long-term equity compensation.
Base salary was intended to attract and retain talented executives and to provide compensation that was commensurate with the executive’s scope of responsibility and effectiveness. Cash incentive bonuses were designed to align the executive’s compensation with our short-term business goals and individual performance goals. Long-term equity compensation focused on achieving the Company’s pre-Merger long-term TSR goals and executive retention. The pre-Merger Company used long-term equity to retain its executives by rewarding them with equity only if they remained with the Company for a substantial period of time and if the Company achieved specified average TSR goals over the preceding three-year period. The allocation between cash and non-cash compensation or short- and long-term compensation was reviewed periodically. A significant portion of compensation was at risk and variable depending on both short- and long-term financial performance, with the largest portion designed to incentivize executives to focus on long-term stockholder value creation.
Pre-Merger Base Salary
Base salaries for the Prior NEOs depended on the scope of their responsibilities and performance. Base salary was designed to compensate the executives fairly for services rendered during the year. The Pre-Merger Compensation Committee received from Mr. Schanzer his recommended salary level for each executive officer (other than Mr. Schanzer) for its review. For 2022, the base salaries of Mr. Schanzer and Ms. Zeigler remained unchanged from 2021. Ms. Bitterman's salary increased upon her promotion to Chief Financial Officer in late 2021.
The Pre-Merger Compensation Committee was required to review base salaries annually and could have increased, but not further decreased, the executive officers' salaries pursuant to the terms of their respective employment agreements. In making decisions regarding executive officers’ base salaries, the Pre-Merger Compensation Committee took into account relevant factors, including individual performance and market compensation data.
75
Pre-Merger Annual Cash Incentive Bonus
The Pre-Merger Compensation Committee sought to align the interests of the Prior NEOs with the strategic initiatives of the Company. The Company did not pay annual cash incentive bonuses other than those described below in the Summary Compensation Table.
Pre-Merger Long-Term Compensation
The Pre-Merger Compensation Committee believed that outstanding long-term performance was achieved when executives had an ownership position that encouraged them to focus on the Company’s long-term success. Long-term equity awards were made to eligible employees to align their long-term interests with those of stockholders, deliver market competitive pay, provide a strong retentive hook, and aid in recruitment. At the same time, by incentivizing our senior management as stakeholders in our performance, the Company benefited on an operational level from improved productivity and efficiency gains, and the associated value creation. The Pre-Merger Compensation Committee did not approve any equity awards in 2022, in light of the pending Transactions.
Treatment of Equity and Equity-Based Awards in Connection with the Merger
Our Prior NEOs’ restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards were treated in connection with the Merger as described below. All outstanding equity awards that were subject to time-based vesting, including all outstanding restricted stock awards held by our Prior NEOs, fully accelerated and vested upon a “sale event” or a “change in control,” as applicable (as such terms were defined in the applicable equity plan and each of which included completion of the Merger) pursuant to the terms of the applicable equity plan. In addition, our Prior NEOs were party to employment and other executive agreements with the Company that provided for certain acceleration of vesting of performance-based equity awards in the event of a change in control, which included completion of the Merger.
In connection with the closing of the Grocery-Anchored Portfolio Sale and immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger:
The 2022 Option Exercises and Stock Vested table below shows the number of shares underlying outstanding unvested restricted stock awards and unvested restricted stock unit awards held by our Prior NEOs that vested in connection with the Merger and the consideration, in cash, they received for these awards.
Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policy
We do not consider it appropriate for any of the Company’s officers, directors or employees to enter into speculative transactions in the Company’s securities that are designed to hedge or offset any decrease in market value of the Company’s securities. As a result, the Company prohibits officers, directors or employees from purchasing puts, calls, options or other derivative securities based on the Company’s securities or its correlates. The policy also prohibits hedging or monetization transactions, such as forward sale contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds. Officers, directors and employees may also not purchase securities of the Company on margin, borrow against any account in which the Company’s securities are held or otherwise pledge any securities of the Company.
Compensation Committee Report
Pursuant to NYSE rules, because the Company meets the definition of a “controlled company” and lists only non-voting preferred stock, the Company is not required to and does not have a compensation committee. In the absence of a compensation committee, the Company’s Board of Directors and management reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by the Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act. Based on such review and discussion, the
76
Board of Directors recommends that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Board of Directors:
Directors |
Kerry G. Campbell |
Paula J. Poskon |
E.J. Borrack |
M. Andrew Franklin |
Crystal Plum |
Compensation Tables
Summary Compensation Table
The table below summarizes the total compensation for the fiscal years indicated paid or awarded to each of our named executive officers, calculated in accordance with SEC rules and regulations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Fiscal |
|
|
Salary (1) |
|
|
Bonus (2) |
|
|
Awards (3) |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
Total |
|
||||||
Name |
|
Year |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
||||||
M. Andrew Franklin (4) |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
and President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Crystal Plum (4) |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Chief Financial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Bruce J. Schanzer (5) |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
461,500 |
|
|
|
10,000,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,405,200 |
|
|
|
22,866,700 |
|
Former Chief Executive |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
750,000 |
|
|
|
750,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
34,000 |
|
|
|
1,534,000 |
|
Officer |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
750,000 |
|
|
|
403,800 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
33,800 |
|
|
|
1,187,600 |
|
Jennifer Bitterman (6) |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
244,400 |
|
|
|
1,252,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
839,000 |
|
|
|
2,335,400 |
|
Former Chief Financial |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
246,900 |
|
|
|
308,800 |
|
|
|
325,000 |
|
|
|
11,600 |
|
|
|
892,300 |
|
Officer |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
220,400 |
|
|
|
37,100 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
9,900 |
|
|
|
267,400 |
|
Robin M. Zeigler (7) |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
150,900 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3,810,300 |
|
|
|
3,961,200 |
|
Former Chief Operating |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
436,000 |
|
|
|
414,200 |
|
|
|
262,500 |
|
|
|
17,600 |
|
|
|
1,130,300 |
|
Officer |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
436,000 |
|
|
|
223,900 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
17,400 |
|
|
|
677,300 |
|
77
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Year Ended December 31, 2022
There were no grants of plan-based awards for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022
There were no outstanding equity awards at December 31, 2022.
2022 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
No options were granted by the Company or exercised during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. None of the named executive officers have ever been granted stock options.
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
|||||
Name |
|
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (1) |
|
|
Value Realized on Vesting ($) (1) |
|
||
M. Andrew Franklin |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Crystal Plum |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Bruce J. Schanzer |
|
|
265,150 |
|
|
|
2,513,622 |
|
Jennifer Bitterman |
|
|
19,117 |
|
|
|
181,229 |
|
Robin M. Zeigler |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
2022 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
|
|
Executive |
|
|
Registrant |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|||||
|
|
Contributions |
|
|
Contributions |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
Balance |
|
|||||
|
|
in Last |
|
|
in Last |
|
|
in Last |
|
|
Withdrawals/ |
|
|
at Last |
|
|||||
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
Distributions (1) |
|
|
Fiscal Year-End |
|
|||||
Name |
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|||||
M. Andrew Franklin |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Crystal Plum |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Bruce J. Schanzer |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8,787,800 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Jennifer Bitterman |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Robin M. Zeigler |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
141,800 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Two of our Prior NEOs, Mr. Schanzer and Ms. Zeigler, participated in the 2005 Cedar Shopping Centers, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”). Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, participants could defer a portion of their base salaries and cash bonuses on a pre-tax basis and receive a tax-deferred return on such amounts based on
78
the performance of specific investments selected by the participants. Participants could also defer share awards made under the Company’s equity incentive plans, as well as related dividends. In connection with the Deferred Compensation Plan, the Company established a “rabbi trust” overseen by an independent trustee, wherein the trustee was directed to make investments of the deferred cash amounts, which tracked as closely as possible to those selected by each participant in order to generally match its liabilities to the participants under the deferred compensation plan with equivalent assets and thereby limit market risk. Generally, cash deferrals were distributed in a lump sum on the earlier of the first day of the 61st month following the end of the calendar year to which such deferral relates, or as soon as practicable after the participant’s separation from service for any reason other than death or retirement (or six months thereafter, in the case of any participant who is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “Code”)), unless the participant elects to receive the distribution in installments, or to otherwise further defer the distribution, as provided in the plan. Generally, share deferrals will be distributed in a lump sum on the later of (a) the first business day of the January next following the third anniversary date of the grant, or (b) the first business day of the January next following the date on which the share deferrals are scheduled to vest in their entirety based on the original vesting schedule, unless the participant elects to receive the distribution in installments, or to otherwise further defer the distribution, as provided in the plan. In the event of a “change in control” (as defined in the plan) that constitutes a change in control event under Section 409A of the Code, participants shall become 100% vested in their share deferral accounts, and the Board could terminate the plan and distribute all benefits under the plan to participants. In the event of a termination or constructive termination of the plan in connection with a change in control, such plan provides for an income tax gross up on plan benefits distributed to participants as well as a tax gross-up on any amounts under the plan that are subject to the 20% penalty tax under Section 409A of the Code.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
Mr. Franklin and Ms. Plum
As of December 31, 2022, Mr. Franklin's employment agreement with WHLR provides for benefits upon a change in control of WHLR, which is the parent of the Company. In the event that Mr. Franklin terminated his employment with Good Reason following a “Change in Control” (as defined in his employment agreement) or was terminated by WHLR without Cause and such termination occurred within six months of a Change in Control, Mr. Franklin would generally be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to 2.99 times his annual base salary ($400,000), less mandatory deductions, payable within ninety calendar days of the termination (and, in the case of such a termination without Cause, a bonus amount based on any bonus determined by WHLR's Board of Directors and payable to other executives of WHLR during the twelve months after the Change in Control). In addition, Mr. Franklin would be entitled to health care coverage pursuant to COBRA at Mr. Franklin’s expense for up to eighteen months.
As of December 31, 2022, Ms. Plum was not party to any arrangements with the Company or WHLR that provide for benefits payable upon a termination of employment or change in control.
Separation Agreements with Mr. Schanzer and Ms. Bitterman
Each of Mr. Schanzer and Ms. Bitterman terminated employment immediately following the Merger. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Schanzer received a lump sum payment comprised of: (i) a $3.75 million severance payment; (ii) a $10.0 million change in control cash payment, and (iii) a $500,000 cash payment in respect in his DERs. Pursuant to the terms of her employment agreement, Ms. Bitterman received a $833,000 severance payment, payable in a lump sum, as well as the $1.252 million change in control bonus previously disclosed. WHLR and Mr. Schanzer entered into a Restrictive Covenant Agreement, pursuant to which Mr. Schanzer agreed to customary non-compete and non-solicitation covenants for a four-year period following closing of the Merger.
Separation Agreement with Ms. Zeigler
Ms. Zeigler resigned from her position with the Company effective as of May 6, 2022. Pursuant to the terms of her separation agreement with the Company, Ms. Zeigler retained any vested shares of restricted Company stock and any vested securities and cash held in the Deferred Compensation Plan, but was not otherwise entitled to any compensation, severance or bonus after the effective date of her resignation, except for premiums for health insurance under COBRA for up to 12 months following her resignation. Ms. Zeigler forfeited her unvested equity awards under the Company’s equity incentive plans, as well as the right to any tax gross-up or other tax-related payments from the Company applicable to her vested assets in the Deferred Compensation Plan.
Consulting Agreement with Ms. Zeigler
79
Concurrently with the execution of the separation agreement, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with an entity controlled by Ms. Zeigler, pursuant to which Ms. Zeigler agreed to assist the Company with respect to certain matters relating to the Company’s existing joint venture for the construction of an approximately 258,000 square foot six-story commercial building in Washington, D.C and to advance the planned redevelopment of two existing shopping centers. Pursuant to the consulting agreement, Ms. Zeigler received an up-front payment from the Company of $3.0 million, and is entitled to receive an additional payment of $750,000 upon the earlier of completion of the sale of the development to one or more third parties, or the second anniversary of the agreement.
CEO Pay Ratio
As of December 31, 2022, the Company did not have any employees. Accordingly, the CEO pay ratio disclosure is not applicable to the Company.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Based upon our records and the information reported in filings with the SEC, the following were beneficial owners of more than 5% of our shares of Common Stock as of December 31, 2022:
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
Percentage of Class |
|
||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
|
Beneficially Owned (1) |
|
||
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. |
|
|
13,718,169 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
2529 Virginia Beach Boulevard |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Virginia Beach, VA 23452 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of |
|
Number of |
|
|
Percentage of |
|
Number of |
|
|
Percentage of |
||
NEO or |
|
Series B Shares |
|
|
Series B Shares |
|
Series C Shares |
|
|
Series C Shares |
||
Director |
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
|
Beneficially Owned |
||
Kerry G. Campbell |
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
Paula J. Poskon |
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
E.J. Borrack |
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
M. Andrew Franklin |
|
|
2,890 |
|
|
* |
|
|
1,900 |
|
|
* |
Crystal Plum |
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group |
|
|
2,890 |
|
|
* |
|
|
1,900 |
|
|
* |
* Less than 1%
Related Party Policies and Related Party Transactions
WHLR's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics requires that our directors and officers deal with the Company on an arms-length basis in any related party transaction. All transactions between us and any of our directors, named executive officers or other vice presidents, or between us and any entity in which any of our directors, named executive officers or other vice presidents is an officer or director or has an ownership interest, must be pre-approved by the Board of Directors.
With the completion of the Company's Merger with WHLR, the Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of WHLR. WHLR performs property management and leasing services for the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid WHLR $1.0 million for these services. The related party amounts due to WHLR for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $7.3 million, which consists primarily of financing costs, real estate taxes and costs paid on the Company's behalf at the closing of the KeyBank Credit Agreement. The Operating Partnership and WHLR’s operating partnership, Wheeler REIT, L.P., are party to a cost sharing and reimbursement agreement, pursuant to which the parties agreed to share costs and expenses associated with certain employees, certain facilities and property, and certain arrangements with third parties
80
(the “Cost Sharing Agreement”). During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company did not make any payments to WHLR for these services due to certain limitations set forth in the Cost Sharing Agreement.
Determinations of Director Independence
The Board of Directors currently consists of five members. The Chair of the Board of Directors is Kerry G. Campbell. The Board of Directors reviews the independence of each director yearly. During this review, the Board of Directors considers whether there are any transactions and relationships between any director (and his or her immediate family and affiliates) and the Company and its management that are inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent in light of applicable law and listing standards. The Company believes that under the applicable rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange, Mr. Campbell, Ms. Poskon, and Ms. Borrack are independent. Mr. Franklin and Ms. Plum are not independent because they are officers of the Company.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table summarizes fees paid to our independent registered public accounting firms (Cherry Bekaert LLP and Ernst & Young LLP) for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
Type of Fee |
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
282,000 |
|
|
$ |
641,000 |
|
Audit Related Fees |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Tax Fees (2) |
|
|
183,000 |
|
|
|
117,000 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total |
|
$ |
465,000 |
|
|
$ |
758,000 |
|
Prior to the completion of the Merger with WHLR on August 22, 2022, Cedar's then-Audit Committee reviewed and approved the fees of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with its policies and procedures. Following the completion of the Merger, the Audit Committee was disbanded and WHLR's Audit Committee serves as the Company's audit committee, which reviewed and approved the 2022 fees of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with its policies and procedures.
81
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
The response to this portion of Item 15 is included in Item 8 of this report.
The response to this portion of Item 15 is included in Item 8 of this report.
Item |
|
Title or Description |
|
|
|
2.1.a |
|
|
|
|
|
2.1.b |
|
|
|
|
|
2.1.c |
|
|
|
|
|
2.1.d |
|
|
|
|
|
2.2.a |
|
|
|
|
|
2.2.b |
|
|
|
|
|
2.2.c |
|
|
|
|
|
3.1.a |
|
|
|
|
|
3.1.b |
|
|
|
|
|
3.1.c |
|
|
|
|
|
3.1.d |
|
|
|
|
|
3.1.e |
|
|
|
|
|
3.1.f |
|
82
Item |
|
Title or Description |
|
|
|
3.1.g |
|
|
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
10.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
10.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
10.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
10.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
10.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
21.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
31.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
31.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
32.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
32.2 |
|
83
Item |
|
Title or Description |
|
|
|
101.INS |
|
Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because iXBRLtags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
|
|
|
101.SCH |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
|
|
|
101.CAL |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
|
|
|
101.DEF |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
|
|
|
101.LAB |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
|
|
|
101.PRE |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
|
|
|
104 |
|
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
* Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, certain exhibits have been omitted. The registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any omitted exhibit to the SEC upon request by the SEC.
The response to this portion of Item 15 is included in Item 15(a)(3) above.
The response to this portion of Item 15 is included in Item 15(a)(2) above.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary: None
84
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CEDAR REALTY TRUST, INC.
/s/ M. ANDREW FRANKLIN |
|
/s/ CRYSTAL PLUM |
M. Andrew Franklin |
|
Crystal Plum |
Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer) |
|
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
March 2, 2023
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and as of the date indicated.
/s/ M. ANDREW FRANKLIN |
|
/s/ CRYSTAL PLUM |
M. Andrew Franklin |
|
Crystal Plum |
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
|
|
/s/ KERRY G. CAMPBELL |
|
/s/ E.J. BORRACK |
Kerry G. Campbell |
|
E.J. Borrack |
Chair of Board |
|
Director |
|
|
|
/s/ PAULA J. POSKON |
|
|
Paula J. Poskon |
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
March 2, 2023
85