Note 4 - Property and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

 (4)           Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):

December 31,	2012			2011
Land	$	128,653		$	120,092
Building and improvements		279,084			232,478
Service equipment		39,374			36,895
Furniture, office equipment, signs and fixtures		70,082			71,313
		517,193			460,778
Less accumulated depreciation		(97,883	)		(99,115	)
		419,310			361,663
Construction in progress		5,776			12,116
	$	425,086		$	373,779

Long-Lived Asset Impairment Charges

In 2012 and 2011, triggering events were determined to have occurred related to certain properties due to changes in the expected future use. In 2010, we changed our strategy related to real estate held for future development to focus on more immediate disposition to a broader market of potential buyers and allowing for the redeployment of the invested capital to higher-growth potential opportunities within our business. With this change, we received offers at prices significantly lower than the value of these properties from a long-term income approach at their highest and best use. However, given the prospect of accepting these offers and effecting a quick sale or alternatively continuing the capital investment in these non-operational properties, we decided to accept certain offers and redeploy the capital elsewhere.

As a result of these events, we tested certain long-lived assets for recovery. Based on these tests, we recorded asset impairment charges of $0.1 million, $1.4 million and $15.3 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.