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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We are sometimes involved in lawsuits, warranty claims, and environmental matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Management makes assumptions and estimates concerning the likelihood and amount of any potential loss relating to these matters.
We are currently a party to various legal proceedings. We accrue a liability for litigation if an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If an unfavorable outcome is probable and a reasonable estimate of the loss is a range, we accrue the best estimate within the range; however, if no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum within the range is accrued. Legal fees related to litigation are expensed as incurred. We do not believe that the ultimate outcome of these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or overall trends in results of operations; however, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties. Also under our leases, tenants are typically obligated to indemnify us from and against all liabilities, costs and expenses imposed upon or asserted against us (1) as owner of the properties due to certain matters relating to the operation of the properties by the
tenant, and (2) where appropriate, due to certain matters relating to the ownership of the properties prior to their acquisition by us.
We are self-insured for general liability costs up to predetermined retained amounts per claim, and we believe that we maintain adequate accruals to cover our retained liability. We currently do not maintain third party stop-loss insurance policies to cover liability costs in excess of predetermined retained amounts. Our accrual for self-insurance liability is determined by management and is based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Management considers a number of factors, including third-party actuarial analysis, previous experience in our portfolio, and future increases in costs of claims, when making these determinations. If our liability costs exceed these accruals, it will reduce our net income.
We reserve for estimated losses, if any, associated with warranties given to a buyer at the time real estate is sold or other potential liabilities relating to that sale, taking any insurance policies into account. These warranties may extend up to ten years and require significant judgment. If changes in facts and circumstances indicate that warranty reserves are understated, we will accrue additional reserves at such time a liability has been incurred and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Warranty reserves are released once the legal liability period has expired or all related work has been substantially completed.
At December 31, 2023 and 2022, our reserves for general liability costs were $3.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively, and are included in “accounts payable and accrued expenses” in our consolidated balance sheets. Any potential losses which exceed our estimates would result in a decrease in our net income. During 2023 and 2022, we made payments from these reserves of $2.0 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Although we consider the reserve to be adequate, there can be no assurance that the reserve will prove to be adequate over-time to cover losses due to the difference between the assumptions used to estimate the reserve and actual losses.
On December 11, 2019, we received proceeds related to the sale under the threat of condemnation at San Antonio Center as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. We indemnified the condemning authority for all costs incurred related to the condemnation proceedings including any payments required to tenants at the property and recorded a corresponding liability for our estimate of these costs. During 2022, we recorded a net reduction of our liability for condemnation and transaction costs to reflect the impact of tenant settlement and our current estimate of remaining costs. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized a gain of $9.3 million. During 2023 and 2022, we incurred $1.4 million and $18.0 million of payments to tenants, respectively. At December 31, 2023, we have a liability of $3.6 million to reflect our estimate of the remaining costs.
At December 31, 2023, we had letters of credit outstanding of approximately $6.5 million.
As of December 31, 2023 in connection with capital improvement, development, and redevelopment projects, we have contractual obligations of approximately $168.4 million.
We are obligated under operating lease agreements on several shopping centers and one office lease requiring minimum annual payments as follows, as of December 31, 2023:
 (In thousands)
Year ending December 31,
2024$5,819 
20255,772 
20265,406 
20275,042 
20285,100 
Thereafter194,040 
Total future minimum operating lease payments221,179 
Less amount representing interest(145,309)
Operating lease liabilities$75,870 
Future minimum lease payments and their present value for properties under finance leases as of December 31, 2023, are as follows: 
 (In thousands)
Year ending December 31,
2024$713 
2025713 
2026713 
2027748 
2028801 
Thereafter67,875 
Total future minimum finance lease payments71,563 
Less amount representing interest(58,893)
Finance lease liabilities$12,670 
Under the terms of the Congressional Plaza partnership agreement, a minority partner has the right to require us and the other minority partner to purchase its 26.63% interest in Congressional Plaza at the interest’s then-current fair market value. If the other minority partner defaults in their obligation, we must purchase the full interest. Based on management’s current estimate of fair market value as of December 31, 2023, our estimated maximum liability upon exercise of the put option would range from approximately $66 million to $69 million.
A master lease for Melville Mall, as amended on October 14, 2021, includes a fixed price put option at any time prior to June 30, 2025, requiring us to purchase Melville Mall for approximately $3.6 million. Additionally, we have the right to purchase Melville Mall in 2026 for approximately $3.6 million. The consideration is net of a contract amendment fee to be paid by the landlord.
The other member in The Grove at Shrewsbury and Brook 35 has the right to require us to purchase all of its approximately 4.1% interest in The Grove at Shrewsbury and approximately 6.5% interest in Brook 35 at the interests' then-current fair market value. Based on management's current estimate of fair market value as of December 31, 2023, our estimated maximum liability upon exercise of the put option would range from $6 million to $7 million.
The other member in Hoboken has the right to require us to purchase all of its 10.0% ownership interest at the interest's then-current fair market value. Based on management's current estimate of fair market value as of December 31, 2023, our estimated maximum liability upon exercise of the put option would range from $10 million to $11 million.
Effective June 14, 2026, the other member in Camelback Colonnade and Hilton Village has the right to require us to purchase all of its 2.0% ownership interest at the interest's then-current fair market value. Based on management's current estimate of fair value as of December 31, 2023, our estimated maximum liability upon exercise of the put option would range from $4 million to $5 million.
Effective October 6, 2027, the other member in the partnership that owns equity method investments in Chandler Festival and Chandler Gateway has the right to require us to purchase its 2.5% net ownership interest. Based on management's current estimate of fair value as of December 31, 2023, our estimated maximum liability upon exercise of the put option would range from $1 million and $2 million.
Effective June 1, 2029, the other member in Grossmont Center has the right to require us to purchase all of its 40.0% ownership interest at the interest's then-current fair market value. Based on management's current estimate of fair value as of December 31, 2023, our estimated maximum liability upon exercise of the put option would range from $68 million to $73 million.
Under the terms of certain partnership agreements, the partners have the right to exchange their operating partnership units for cash or the same number of our common shares, at our option. A total of 635,431 downREIT operating partnership units are outstanding which have a total fair value of $65.5 million, based on our closing stock price on December 31, 2023.