Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

In the normal course of business, from time to time, the Company is involved in legal actions relating to the ownership and operations of its properties. In management’s opinion, the liabilities, if any, that ultimately may result from such legal actions are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

The Company has signed several ground leases for certain properties. For financial reporting purposes, rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Accordingly, rent expense recognized in excess of rent paid is reflected as a liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Rent expense, for both ground leases and corporate office storage space, was approximately $831,000, $1.2 million, and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

The following table represents the Company’s future minimum annual lease payments under operating leases as of December 31, 2016 (in thousands):



	Operating Leases
2017	$	1,222
2018	1,260
2019	1,265
2020	1,273
2021	1,282
Thereafter	36,651
Total minimum lease payments	$	42,953

Tax Protection Agreements

In connection with the acquisition of the remaining 51% of the partnership interests in the Terranomics Crossroads Associates, LP and the acquisition of 100% of the equity interest in SARM Five Points Plaza LLC in September 2013, the Company entered into Tax Protection Agreements with certain limited partners of the Operating Partnership. The Tax Protection Agreements require the Company, subject to certain exceptions, for a period of 12 years, to indemnify the respective sellers receiving OP Units against certain tax liabilities incurred by them, as calculated pursuant to the respective Tax Protection Agreements. If the Company were to trigger the tax protection provisions under these agreements, the Company would be required to pay damages in the amount of the taxes owed by these limited partners (plus additional damages in the amount of the taxes incurred as a result of such payment).

In connection with the acquisition of Wilsonville Town Center in December 2014, Iron Horse Plaza, Bellevue Marketplace and Warner Plaza in December 2015, and Magnolia Shopping Center and Casitas Plaza Shopping Center in March 2016 (more fully discussed in Footnote 2), the Company entered into Tax Protection Agreements with certain limited partners of the Operating Partnership. The Tax Protection Agreements require the Company, subject to certain exceptions, for a period of 10 years, to indemnify the respective sellers receiving OP Units against certain tax liabilities incurred by them, as calculated pursuant to the respective Tax Protection Agreements. If the Company were to trigger the tax protection provisions under these agreements, the Company would be required to pay damages in the amount of the taxes owed by these limited partners (plus additional damages in the amount of the taxes incurred as a result of such payment).