FRANKLIN STREET PROPERTIES CORP /MA/ - Annual Report: 2020 (Form 10-K)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

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For the transition period from            to            

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Commission File No. 001-32470

FRANKLIN STREET PROPERTIES CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (781) 557-1300

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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ◻ No ⌧.

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 ◻ No ⌧.

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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. Yes ☒ No ☐.

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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). Yes ☒ No ☐.

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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.

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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 ☐

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s 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. ☒

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒.

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The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates based on the closing sale price as reported on NYSE American, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, June 30, 2020, was approximately $523,709,269.

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There were 107,328,199 shares of common stock of the registrant outstanding as of February 5, 2021.

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Documents incorporated by reference: The registrant intends to file a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A, promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be used in connection with the registrant’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 13, 2021 (the “Proxy Statement”). The information required in response to Items 10 — 14 of Part III of this Form 10-K, other than that contained in Part I under the caption, “Information about our Executive Officers,” is hereby incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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PART I

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Item 1.Business

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History

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Our company, Franklin Street Properties Corp., which we refer to as FSP Corp., the Company, we or our, is a Maryland corporation that operates in a manner intended to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for federal income tax purposes. Our common stock is traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “FSP”. FSP Corp. is the successor to Franklin Street Partners Limited Partnership, or the FSP Partnership, which was originally formed as a Massachusetts general partnership in January 1997 as the successor to a Massachusetts general partnership that was formed in 1981. On January 1, 2002, the FSP Partnership converted into FSP Corp., which we refer to as the conversion. As a result of this conversion, the FSP Partnership ceased to exist and we succeeded to the business of the FSP Partnership. In the conversion, each unit of both general and limited partnership interests in the FSP Partnership was converted into one share of our common stock. As a result of the conversion, we hold, directly and indirectly, 100% of the interest in three former subsidiaries of the FSP Partnership: FSP Investments LLC, FSP Property Management LLC, and FSP Holdings LLC. We operate some of our business through these subsidiaries.

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Our Business

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We are a REIT focused on commercial real estate investments primarily in office markets and currently operate in only one segment: real estate operations. The principal revenue sources for our real estate operations include rental income from real estate leasing, interest income from secured loans made on office properties, property dispositions and fee income from asset/property management and development.

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Our current strategy is to invest in infill and central business district office properties in the United States sunbelt and mountain west regions as well as select opportunistic markets. We believe that the United States sunbelt and mountain west regions have macro-economic drivers that have the potential to increase occupancies and rents. We seek value-oriented investments with an eye towards long-term growth and appreciation, as well as current income.

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Previously we also operated in an investment banking segment, which was discontinued in December 2011. Our investment banking segment generated brokerage commissions, loan origination fees, development services and other fees related to the organization of single-purpose entities that own real estate and the private placement of equity in those entities. We refer to these entities, which are organized as corporations and operated in a manner intended to qualify as REITs, as Sponsored REITs. On December 15, 2011, we announced that our broker/dealer subsidiary, FSP Investments LLC, would no longer sponsor the syndication of shares of preferred stock in newly-formed Sponsored REITs. On July 15, 2014, FSP Investments LLC withdrew its registration as a broker/dealer with FINRA.

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From time-to-time we may acquire real estate or invest in real estate by making secured loans on real estate. We may also pursue on a selective basis the sale of our properties to take advantage of the value creation and demand for our properties, or for geographic or property specific reasons.

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Real Estate

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We own and operate a portfolio of real estate consisting of 34 office properties as of December 31, 2020, consisting of 32 operating properties and 2 redevelopment properties. We derive rental revenue from income paid to us by tenants of these properties. See Item 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about our properties. From time-to-time we dispose of properties generating gains or losses in an ongoing effort to improve and upgrade our portfolio.

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We provide asset management, property management, property accounting, investor and/or development services to our portfolio and certain of our Sponsored REITs through our subsidiaries FSP Investments LLC and FSP Property Management LLC. FSP Corp. recognizes revenue from its receipt of fee income from Sponsored REITs that

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have not been consolidated or acquired by us. Neither FSP Investments LLC nor FSP Property Management LLC receives any rental income.

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From time-to-time we may make secured loans to Sponsored REITs in the form of mortgage loans or revolving lines of credit to fund construction costs, capital expenditures, leasing costs and for other purposes. We anticipate that these loans will be repaid at their maturity or earlier from long-term financings of the underlying properties, cash flows from the underlying properties or some other capital event. We refer to these loans as Sponsored REIT Loans. We had one Sponsored REIT Loan secured by real estate outstanding as of December 31, 2020, from which we derive interest income.

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Sustainability

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As an owner of commercial real estate, a sector with significant environmental, social and governance “ESG” impact, we strive to maximize shareholder value through the prudent application of sound ESG strategies. Our efforts have been awarded recognition from various third party review entities, such as GRESB, ENERGY STAR and LEED.

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Impact of COVID-19

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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions in the U.S. and global economies and has had and is expected to continue to have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. This impact could be materially adverse to the extent that the current COVID-19 pandemic, or future pandemics, cause tenants to be unable to pay their rent or reduce the demand for commercial real estate. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional information.

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Investment Objectives

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Our investment objectives are to create shareholder value by increasing revenue from rental, dividend, interest and fee income and net gains from sales of properties and increase the cash available for distribution in the form of dividends to our stockholders. We expect that we will continue to derive real estate revenue from owned properties and Sponsored REIT Loans and fees from asset management, property management and investor services. We may also acquire additional real properties.

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We may acquire, and have acquired, real properties in any geographic area of the United States and of any property type. We own 34 office properties that are located in 10 different states as of December 31, 2020, which consist of 32 operating properties and 2 redevelopment properties. See Item 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about our properties.

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From time to time, as market conditions warrant, we may sell properties owned by us. For example, we sold an office property located in Durham, North Carolina on December 23, 2020 with a sales price of approximately $89.7 million, at a gain of approximately $41.9 million. We did not sell any properties during 2019 or 2018.

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In 2021, we determined that further debt reduction would provide greater financial flexibility and potentially increase shareholder value. Accordingly, we have adopted a strategy to dispose of certain properties in 2021 where we believe our valuation objective has been met. Pursuant to this strategy we anticipate dispositions in 2021 will result in estimated aggregate gross proceeds in the range of $350 million to $450 million. Proceeds from these potential dispositions would be used primarily for the repayment of debt.

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We rely on the following principles in selecting real properties for acquisition by FSP Corp. and managing them after acquisition:

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Competition

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With respect to our real estate investments, we face competition in each of the markets where our properties are located. In order to establish, maintain or increase the rental revenues for a property, it must be competitive on location, cost and amenities with other buildings of similar use. Some of our competitors may have significantly more resources than we do and may be able to offer more attractive rental rates or services. On the other hand, some of our competitors may be smaller or have less fixed overhead costs, less cash or other resources that make them willing or able to accept lower rents in order to maintain a certain occupancy level. In markets where there is not currently significant existing property competition, our competitors may decide to enter the market and build new buildings to compete with our existing projects or those in a development stage. Our competition is not only with other developers, but also with property users who choose to own their building or a portion of the building in the form of an office condominium. Competitive conditions are affected by larger market forces beyond our control, such as general economic conditions, which may increase competition among landlords for quality tenants, and individual decisions by tenants that are beyond our control.

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Governmental Regulations

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Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, we, as an owner or operator of real property may become liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous substances released on or in our property. Such laws may impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or caused, the release of such hazardous substances. The presence of hazardous substances on a property may adversely affect the owner’s ability to sell such property or to borrow using such property as collateral, and it may cause the owner of the property to incur substantial remediation costs. In addition to claims for cleanup costs, the presence of hazardous substances on a property could result in the owner incurring substantial liabilities as a result of a claim by a private party for personal injury or a claim by an adjacent property owner for property damage.

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All of our properties are required to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act, or ADA, and the regulations, rules and orders that may be issued thereunder. The ADA has separate compliance requirements for “public accommodations” and “commercial facilities,” but generally requires that buildings be made accessible to persons with disabilities. Compliance with ADA requirements might require, among other things, removal of access barriers. Noncompliance with such requirements could result in the imposition of fines by the U.S. government or an award of damages to private litigants.

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In addition, we are required to operate our properties in compliance with fire and safety regulations, building codes and other land use regulations, as they may be adopted by governmental agencies and bodies and become applicable to our properties. Compliance with such requirements may require us to make substantial capital expenditures, which expenditures would reduce cash otherwise available for distribution to our stockholders.

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The provisions of the tax code governing the taxation of REITs are very technical and complex, and although we expect that we will be organized and will operate in a manner that will enable us to meet such requirements, no assurance can be given that we will always succeed in doing so. If in any taxable year we do not qualify as a REIT, we would be taxed as a corporation and distributions to our stockholders would not be deductible by us in computing our taxable income. In addition, if we were to fail to qualify as a REIT, we could be disqualified from treatment as a REIT in the year in which such failure occurred and for the next four taxable years and, consequently, we would be taxed as a regular corporation during such years. Failure to qualify for even one taxable year could result in a significant reduction

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of our cash available for distribution to our stockholders or could require us to incur indebtedness or liquidate investments in order to generate sufficient funds to pay the resulting federal income tax liabilities.

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See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional information.

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Human Capital

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We had 37 employees as of each of February 5, 2021 and December 31, 2020. Women represent 48.6% of our employees, of which 50.0% hold management level/leadership roles. We endeavor to maintain a workplace that is free from discrimination or harassment on the basis of color, race, sex, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression or any other status protected by applicable law. We regularly conduct training to prevent harassment and discrimination. The Company’s basis for recruitment, hiring, development, training, compensation and advancement of employees is qualifications, performance, skills and experience. Many of our employees have a long tenure with the Company. Our employees are compensated without regard to gender, race and ethnicity, and our compensation program is designed to attract and retain talent. During the COVID-19 pandemic, employees have been offered work-from-home flexibility to meet personal and family needs.

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Available Information

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We make available, free of charge through our website http://www.fspreit.com our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC.

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We will voluntarily provide paper copies of our filings and code of ethics upon written request received at the address on the cover of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, free of charge.

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Information about our Directors

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The following table sets forth the names, ages and positions of all our directors as of February 5, 2021.

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George J. Carter, age 72, is Chief Executive Officer and has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of FSP Corp. since 2002. Mr. Carter also was the President of FSP Corp. from 2002 to May 2016. Mr. Carter is responsible for all aspects of the business of FSP Corp. and its affiliates, with special emphasis on the evaluation,

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acquisition and structuring of real estate investments. Prior to the conversion, he was President of the general partner of the FSP Partnership and was responsible for all aspects of the business of the FSP Partnership and its affiliates. From 1992 through 1996 he was President of Boston Financial Securities, Inc. (“Boston Financial”). Prior to joining Boston Financial, Mr. Carter was owner and developer of Gloucester Dry Dock, a commercial shipyard in Gloucester, Massachusetts. From 1979 to 1988, Mr. Carter served as Managing Director in charge of marketing at First Winthrop Corporation, a national real estate and investment banking firm headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to that, he held a number of positions in the brokerage industry including those with Merrill Lynch & Co. and Loeb Rhodes & Co. Mr. Carter is a graduate of the University of Miami (B.S.).

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John N. Burke, age 59, has been a Director of FSP Corp. since 2004 and Chair of the Audit Committee since June 2004. Mr. Burke is a certified public accountant with over 30 years of experience in the practice of public accounting working with both private and publicly traded companies with extensive experience serving clients in the real estate and REIT industry. His experience includes analysis and evaluation of financial reporting, accounting systems, internal controls and audit matters. Mr. Burke has been involved as an advisor on several public offerings, private equity and debt financings and merger and acquisition transactions. Mr. Burke’s consulting experience includes a wide range of accounting, tax and business planning matters. Prior to starting his own firm in 2003, Mr. Burke was an Audit Partner in the Boston office of BDO USA, LLP. Mr. Burke is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of CPAs. Mr. Burke earned an M.S. in Taxation and studied undergraduate accounting at Bentley University.

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Brian N. Hansen, age 49, has been a Director of FSP Corp. since 2012 and became Chair of the Compensation Committee in February 2021. Since 2007, Mr. Hansen has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Confluence Investment Management LLC, a St. Louis based Registered Investment Advisor. Prior to founding Confluence in 2007, Mr. Hansen served as a Managing Director in A.G. Edwards’ Financial Institutions & Real Estate Investment Banking practice. While at A.G. Edwards, Mr. Hansen advised a wide variety of Real Estate Investment Trusts on numerous capital markets transactions, including public and private offerings of debt and equity securities as well as the analysis of various merger & acquisition opportunities. Prior to joining A.G. Edwards, Mr. Hansen served as a Manager in Arthur Andersen LLP’s Audit & Business Advisory practice. Mr. Hansen has served on the boards of a number of non-profit entities and currently serves on the Finance Council and as the Investment Committee Chair of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and as a member of the St. Louis County Retirement Board. Mr. Hansen earned his M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and his Bachelor of Science in Commerce from DePaul University. Mr. Hansen is a Certified Public Accountant.

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Kenneth A. Hoxsie, age 70, has been a Director of FSP Corp. since January 2016 and became Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in February 2021. Mr. Hoxsie was a Partner at the international law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (“WilmerHale”) until his retirement on December 31, 2015. He joined Hale and Dorr (the predecessor of WilmerHale) in 1981, subsequently worked at Copley Real Estate Advisors, an institutional real estate investment advisory firm, and rejoined Hale and Dorr in 1994. Mr. Hoxsie has over 30 years’ experience in real estate capital markets transactions, fund formation, public company counseling and mergers and acquisitions and has advised the Company since its formation in 1997. Mr. Hoxsie earned his J.D. (Cum Laude) from Harvard Law School, his M.A. from Harvard University and his B.A. (Summa Cum Laude) from Amherst College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

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Dennis J. McGillicuddy, age 79, has been a Director of FSP Corp. since May 2002. Mr. McGillicuddy graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. degree and from the University of Florida Law School with a J.D. degree. In 1968, Mr. McGillicuddy joined Barry Silverstein in founding Coaxial Communications, a cable television company. In 1998 and 1999, Coaxial sold its cable systems. Mr. McGillicuddy has served on the boards of various charitable organizations. He is currently president of the Board of Trustees of Florida Studio Theater, a professional non-profit theater organization, and he serves as a Co-Chair, together with his wife, of Embracing Our Differences, an annual two-month long art exhibit that promotes the values of diversity and inclusion. Mr. McGillicuddy also is a director and Chief Executive Officer of All-Star Children’s Foundation, an organization engaged in creating a new paradigm for foster care.

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Georgia Murray, age 70, has been a Director of FSP Corp. since April 2005 and Lead Independent Director since February 2014. Ms. Murray is retired from Lend Lease Real Estate Investments, Inc., where she served as a Principal from November 1999 until May 2000. From 1973 through October 1999, Ms. Murray worked at The Boston Financial Group, Inc., serving as Senior Vice President and a Director at times during her tenure. Boston Financial was an affiliate of the Boston Financial Group, Inc. She is a past Trustee of the Urban Land Institute and a past President of the Multifamily Housing Institute. Ms. Murray previously served on the Board of Directors of Capital Crossing Bank. She also serves on the boards of numerous non-profit entities. Ms. Murray is a graduate of Newton College.

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Kathryn P. O’Neil, age 57, has been a Director of FSP Corp. since January 2016. Ms. O’Neil was a Director at Bain Capital in the Investor Relations area where she focused on Private Equity and had oversight of the Investment Advisory sector from 2011 until her retirement in 2014. From 1999 to 2007, Ms. O’Neil was a Partner at FLAG Capital Management LLC, a manager of fund-of-funds investment vehicles in private equity, venture capital, real estate and natural resources. Previously, Ms. O’Neil was an Investment Consultant at Cambridge Associates where she specialized in Alternative Assets. Ms. O’Neil currently serves on a variety of non-profit boards, including the Peabody Essex Museum where she is a Director and a member of the Finance, Audit, and Investment Committees, Horizon’s for Homeless Children where she is a Director and serves on the Executive and Finance Committees, and the Trustees of Reservations where she serves on the President’s Council and was a member of the Investment Committee from 2006 to 2020. Ms. O’Neil is a Trustee Emeritus of Colby College and a former member of the Board of Overseers of the Boston Museum of Science. Ms. O’Neil holds a B.A. (Summa Cum Laude) and M.A. (Honorary) from Colby College where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Ms. O’Neil received her M.B.A. from The Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.

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Information about our Executive Officers

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The following table sets forth the names, ages and positions of all our executive officers as of February 5, 2021.

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Jeffrey B. Carter, age 49, is President and Chief Investment Officer of FSP Corp. Mr. Carter served as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer from February 2012 until May 2016, when he was appointed as President in addition to his position as Chief Investment Officer. Previously, Mr. Carter served as Senior Vice President and Director of Acquisitions of FSP Corp. from 2005 to 2012 and as Vice President - Acquisitions from 2003 to 2005. Mr. Carter oversees the day-to-day execution of the Company’s strategic objectives and business plan. In addition, Mr. Carter is primarily responsible for developing and implementing the Company’s investment strategy, including coordination of acquisitions and dispositions. Prior to joining FSP Corp., Mr. Carter worked in Trust Administration for Northern Trust Bank in Miami, Florida. Mr. Carter is a graduate of Arizona State University (B.A.), The George Washington University (M.A.) and Cornell University (M.B.A.). Mr. Carter’s father, George J. Carter, serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of FSP Corp. and Mr. Carter’s brother, Scott H. Carter, serves as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of FSP Corp.

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Scott H. Carter, age 49, is Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of FSP Corp. Mr. Carter has served as General Counsel since February 2008. Mr. Carter joined FSP Corp. in October 2005 as Senior Vice President and In-house Counsel. Mr. Carter is primarily responsible for the management of all of the legal affairs of FSP Corp. and its affiliates. Prior to joining FSP Corp. in October 2005, Mr. Carter was associated with the law firm of Nixon Peabody LLP, which he originally joined in 1999. At Nixon Peabody LLP, Mr. Carter concentrated his practice on the areas of real estate syndication, acquisitions and finance. Mr. Carter received a Bachelor of Business

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Administration (B.B.A.) degree in Finance and Marketing and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of Miami. Mr. Carter is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mr. Carter’s father, George J. Carter, serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of FSP Corp. and Mr. Carter’s brother, Jeffrey B. Carter, serves as President and Chief Investment Officer of FSP Corp.

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John G. Demeritt, age 60, is Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of FSP Corp. and has been Chief Financial Officer since March 2005. Mr. Demeritt previously served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Principal Accounting Officer from September 2004 to March 2005. Prior to September 2004, Mr. Demeritt was a Manager with Caturano & Company, an independent accounting firm (which later merged with McGladrey) where he focused on Sarbanes Oxley compliance. Previously, from March 2002 to March 2004 he provided consulting services to public and private companies where he focused on SEC filings, evaluation of business processes and acquisition integration. During 2001 and 2002 he was Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis at Cabot Industrial Trust, a publicly traded real estate investment trust, which was acquired by CalWest in December 2001. From October 1995 to December 2000 he was Controller and Officer of The Meditrust Companies, a publicly traded real estate investment trust (formerly known as The La Quinta Companies, which was then acquired by the Blackstone Group), where he was involved with a number of merger and financing transactions. Prior to that, from 1986 to 1995 he had financial and accounting responsibilities at three other public companies, and was previously associated with Laventhol & Horwath, an independent accounting firm from 1983 to 1986. Mr. Demeritt is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Babson College.

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John F. Donahue, age 54, is Executive Vice President of FSP Corp. and President of FSP Property Management LLC and has held those positions since May 2016. Mr. Donahue is primarily responsible for the oversight of the management of all of the real estate assets of FSP Corp. and its affiliates. Mr. Donahue joined FSP Corp. in August 2001 as Vice President of FSP Property Management LLC. From 2001 to May 2016, Mr. Donahue was responsible for the management of real estate assets of FSP Corp. and its affiliates. From 1992 to 2001, Mr. Donahue worked in the pension fund advisory business for GE Capital and AEW Capital Management with oversight of office, research and development, industrial and land investments. From 1989 to 1992, Mr. Donahue worked for Krupp Realty in various accounting and finance roles. Mr. Donahue holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Bryant College.

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Eriel Anchondo, age 43, is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of FSP Corp. and has held those positions since May 2016. Mr. Anchondo joined FSP Corp. in 2015 as Senior Vice President of Operations. Mr. Anchondo is responsible for ensuring that the Company has the proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and people systems and infrastructure in place to effectively grow the organization and maintain financial strength and operating efficiency. Prior to joining FSP Corp., from July 2014 to December 2014, Mr. Anchondo provided consulting services to the retail banking division of ISBAN, which is part of the Technology and Operations division of the Santander Group of financial institutions. From May 2007 to July 2013, Mr. Anchondo was employed by Mercer, a global consulting leader in talent, health, retirement, and investments, as an Employee Education Manager across all lines of Mercer’s business. From May 2005 to May 2007, Mr. Anchondo was a Communications Consultant at New York Life Investment Management. From December 2002 to May 2005, Mr. Anchondo worked in the Preferred Client Services Group at Putnam Investments. Mr. Anchondo is a graduate of Boston University (B.A.) and Cornell University (M.B.A.).

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Each of the above executive officers has been a full-time employee of FSP Corp. for the past five fiscal years.

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Item 1A.Risk Factors

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The following material factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and presented elsewhere by management from time-to-time.

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Risks Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions in the U.S. and global economies and has had and is expected to continue to have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. This impact could be materially adverse to the extent that the current COVID-19 pandemic, or future pandemics, cause tenants to be unable to pay their rent or reduce the demand for commercial real estate, or cause other impacts described below.

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The COVID-19 pandemic in many countries, including the United States, continues to adversely impact global economic activity and has contributed to significant volatility and negative pressure in financial markets. The global impact of the pandemic has been evolving and many countries, including the United States, have reacted by instituting quarantines and restrictions on travel.

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Many U.S. cities and states, including cities and states where our properties are located, have also reacted by instituting quarantines, restrictions on travel, restrictions on types of business that may continue to operate, and/or restrictions on types of construction projects that may continue. There can be no assurances as to the length of time these restrictions will remain in place.

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The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or another future pandemic could further adversely affect us and/or our tenants due to, among other factors:

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The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted our properties and operating results and will continue to do so to the extent it reduces occupancy, increases the cost of operation, results in limited hours, results in decreased rental receipts, results in increased borrowings or necessitates the closure of such properties. In addition, quarantines, states of

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emergencies and other measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19 may negatively impact the ability of our properties to continue to obtain necessary goods and services or provide adequate staffing, which may also adversely affect our properties and operating results.

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Some of our existing tenants and potential tenants operate in industries that are being adversely affected by the disruption to business caused by this pandemic. Tenants have been, and may in the future be, required to suspend operations at our properties for extended periods of time. For example, some of our retail tenants have been, and may continue to be, closed for an extended period of time or only open certain hours of the day. Some of our tenants have requested rent concessions and more tenants may request rent concessions or may not pay rent in the future. This could lead to increased rent delinquencies and/or defaults under leases, a lower demand for rentable space leading to increased concessions or lower occupancy, increased tenant improvement capital expenditures, or reduced rental rates to maintain occupancies. For example, on December 21, 2020, the parent company of a tenant that leases approximately 130,000 square feet filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code resulting in a writeoff charge of $3.1 million. Our operations could be materially negatively affected if the economic downturn is prolonged, which could adversely affect our operating results, ability to pay dividends, our ability to repay or refinance our existing indebtedness, and the price of our common stock.

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The continuing evolution of this situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The full extent of the impact and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our future financial performance, as a whole, and, specifically, on our real estate property holdings are uncertain at this time. The impact will depend on the effectiveness of vaccines and therapeutics and future developments, including, among other factors, the duration and spread of the pandemic, along with related travel advisories and restrictions, and the uncertainty with respect to the duration of the global economic slowdown. COVID-19 and the current financial, economic and capital markets environment, and future developments in these and other areas present uncertainty and risk with respect to our performance, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and the price of our common stock.

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Risks Related to our Indebtedness

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If a Sponsored REIT defaults on a Sponsored REIT Loan, we may be required to request additional draws, keep balances outstanding on our existing debt, exercise any maturity date extension rights, seek new debt or use our cash balance to repay our existing debt, which may reduce cash available for distribution to our stockholders or for other corporate purposes.

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From time-to-time, we may make secured loans to Sponsored REITs in the form of mortgage loans or revolving lines of credit to fund construction costs, capital expenditures, leasing costs and for other purposes. We refer to these loans as Sponsored REIT Loans. We anticipate that each Sponsored REIT Loan will be repaid at maturity or earlier from long term financing of the property securing the loan, cash flows from that underlying property or some other capital event. If a Sponsored REIT defaults on a Sponsored REIT Loan, the Sponsored REIT could be unable to fully repay the Sponsored REIT Loan and we may have to satisfy our obligations under our existing debt through other means, including without limitation, requesting additional draws, keeping balances outstanding, exercising any maturity date extension rights, seeking new debt, and/or using our cash balance. If that happens, we may have less cash available for distribution to our stockholders or for other corporate purposes.

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Our operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected if we are unable to refinance the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, the JPM Term Loan, the Series A Notes or the Series B Notes.

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There can be no assurance that we will be able to refinance the revolving line of credit portion of the BAML Credit Facility (as defined in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) upon its maturity on January 12, 2022 (subject to two six month extension options that may extend the maturity date to up to January 12, 2023), the term loan portion of the BAML Credit Facility upon its maturity on January 12, 2023, the BMO Term Loan (as defined in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) upon its maturities on November 30, 2021 and January 31, 2024, the JPM Term Loan (as defined in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) upon its maturity on November 30, 2021 (subject to two six month options that may extend the maturity date to up to November 30, 2022), the Series A Notes (as defined in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) upon their maturity on December 20, 2024 or the Series B

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Notes (as defined in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) upon their maturity on December 20, 2027, that any such refinancings would be on terms as favorable as the terms of the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, the JPM Term Loan, the Series A Notes, or the Series B Notes, or that we will be able to otherwise obtain funds by selling assets or raising equity to make required payments on the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, the JPM Term Loan, the Series A Notes or the Series B Notes. If we are unable to refinance the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, the JPM Term Loan, the Series A Notes or the Series B Notes at maturity or meet our payment obligations, the amount of our distributable cash flow and our financial condition would be adversely affected.

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Failure to comply with covenants in the documents evidencing the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, the JPM Term Loan, the Series A Notes or the Series B Notes could adversely affect our financial condition.

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The documents evidencing the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, the JPM Term Loan, the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations with respect to indebtedness, liens, investments, mergers and acquisitions, disposition of assets, changes in business, certain restricted payments, the requirement to have subsidiaries provide a guaranty in the event that they incur recourse indebtedness and transactions with affiliates. The documents evidencing the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, the JPM Term Loan, the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes contain some or all of the following financial covenants: minimum tangible net worth; maximum leverage ratio; maximum secured leverage ratio; minimum fixed charge coverage ratio; maximum unencumbered leverage ratio; and minimum unsecured interest coverage. Our continued ability to borrow under the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, and the JPM Term Loan is subject to compliance with our financial and other covenants. Failure to comply with such covenants could cause a default under the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, the JPM Term Loan, the Series A Notes or the Series B Notes, and we may then be required to repay them with capital from other sources. Under those circumstances, other sources of capital may not be available to us, or be available only on unattractive terms.

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We may use the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, and the JPM Term Loan to finance the acquisition of real properties and for other permitted investments, to finance investments associated with Sponsored REITs, to refinance or retire indebtedness and for working capital and other general business purposes, in each case to the extent permitted under the respective documents. If we breach covenants in the documents evidencing the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, the JPM Term Loan, the Series A Notes or the Series B Notes, the lenders can declare a default. A default under documents evidencing the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, the JPM Term Loan, the Series A Notes, or the Series B Notes could result in difficulty financing growth in our business and could also result in a reduction in the cash available for distribution to our stockholders or for other corporate purposes. A default under documents evidencing the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, the JPM Term Loan, the Series A Notes or the Series B Notes could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

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An increase in interest rates would increase our interest costs on variable rate debt and could adversely impact our ability to refinance existing debt or sell assets.

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As of December 31, 2020, we had $3.5 million of borrowings under the revolving line of credit portion of our BAML Credit Facility that bears interest at variable rates based on our credit rating, from which we may incur indebtedness in the future. Borrowings under the revolving line of credit portion of our BAML Credit Facility may not exceed $600 million outstanding at any time. As of December 31, 2020, $400 million was drawn and outstanding under the term loan portion of our BAML Credit Facility. The BAML Credit Facility includes an accordion feature that allows for an aggregate amount of up to $500 million of additional borrowing capacity. On July 22, 2016, we fixed the base LIBOR rate on the term loan portion of the BAML Credit Facility at 1.12% until September 27, 2021 by entering into an interest rate swap agreement.

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As of December 31, 2020, $220 million was drawn and outstanding under the BMO Term Loan, although such amount may be increased by up to an additional $100 million through the exercise of an accordion feature. The BMO Term Loan consists of a $55 million tranche A term loan and a $165 million tranche B term loan. On August 26, 2013, we fixed the base LIBOR rate on the BMO Term Loan at 2.32% per annum until August 26, 2020 by entering into an interest rate swap agreement. On February 20, 2019, we fixed the base LIBOR rate on the BMO Term Loan at 2.39%

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per annum for the period beginning August 26, 2020 and ending on January 31, 2024, by entering into interest rate swap agreements.

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On December 24, 2020, we repaid $50 million of our JPM Term Loan. As of December 31, 2020, $100 million was drawn and outstanding under the JPM Term Loan. The JPM Term Loan bears interest at variable rates based on our credit rating. Effective March 29, 2019, we fixed the LIBOR-based rate at 2.44% per annum on the $100 million portion of the JPM Term Loan until November 30, 2021, by entering into interest rate swap agreements.

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In the future, if interest rates increase, then the interest costs on our unhedged variable rate debt will also increase, which could adversely affect our cash flow, our ability to pay principal and interest on our debt and our ability to make distributions to stockholders. In addition, rising interest rates could limit our ability to incur new debt or to refinance existing debt when it matures. From time to time, we may enter into additional interest rate swap agreements and other interest rate hedging contracts, including swaps, caps and floors. While these agreements are intended to lessen the impact of rising interest rates on us, they also expose us to the risks that the other parties to the agreements will not perform, we could incur significant costs associated with the settlement of the agreements, the agreements will be unenforceable and the underlying transactions will fail to qualify as highly-effective cash flow hedges. In addition, an increase in interest rates could decrease the amount third parties are willing to pay for our assets, thereby limiting our ability to change our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.

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Changes to and replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate could adversely affect our business, financial results and operation.

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We may be adversely affected by the expected discontinuance of LIBOR. In July 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (the regulatory authority over LIBOR) announced that it will plan for a phase out of regulatory oversight of LIBOR interest rate indices after 2021 to allow for an orderly transition to an alternate reference rate. However, the ICE Benchmark Administration, in its capacity as administrator of USD LIBOR, has announced that it intends to extend publication of USD LIBOR (other than one-week and two-week tenors) to June 2023. At this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates may become acceptable alternatives to LIBOR and it is impossible to predict the effect of any such alternatives on the value of LIBOR-based securities and variable rate loans, or other securities or financial arrangements, given LIBOR’s role in determining market interest rates globally. The Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC), a group of private-market participants assembled by the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, has proposed that the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) is the rate that represents best practice as the alternative to LIBOR for derivatives and other financial contracts that are currently indexed to LIBOR. The ARRC has proposed a market transition plan to SOFR from LIBOR and organizations are currently working on transition plans as it relates to derivatives and cash markets exposed to LIBOR. We are evaluating the potential impact of the eventual replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate, including the possibility of SOFR as the dominant replacement in the United States. In addition, other benchmarks may emerge or other rates may be adopted outside of the United States. Although the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR, including the discontinuance of LIBOR publication and the adoption of a replacement rate for LIBOR, remains unclear, these changes may have an adverse impact on our financing costs with respect to any floating rate indebtedness.

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Downgrades in our credit ratings could increase our borrowing costs or reduce our access to funding sources in the credit and capital markets.

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We are currently assigned a corporate credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) based on its evaluation of our creditworthiness. Although our corporate credit rating from Moody’s is currently investment grade, there can be no assurance that we will not be downgraded or that our rating will remain investment grade. If our credit rating is downgraded or other negative action is taken, we could be required, among other things, to pay additional interest and fees under the BAML Credit Facility, the BMO Term Loan, the JPM Term Loan, the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes.

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Credit rating reductions by one or more rating agencies could also adversely affect our access to funding sources, the cost and other terms of obtaining funding as well as our overall financial condition, operating results and cash flow.

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Risks Related to our Operations and Properties

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Economic conditions in the United States could have a material adverse impact on our earnings and financial condition.

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The economy in the United States is currently in an economic downturn with recessionary concerns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because economic conditions in the United States may affect the demand for office space, real estate values, occupancy levels and property income, current and future economic conditions in the United States could have a material adverse impact on our earnings and financial condition. Economic conditions may be affected by numerous factors, including but not limited to, the pace of economic growth and/or recessionary concerns, inflation, increases in the levels of unemployment, energy prices, changes in currency exchange rates, uncertainty about government fiscal and tax policy, geopolitical events, the regulatory environment, the availability of credit and interest rates. As of the date of this report, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related fallout from containment and mitigation measures, such as work from home arrangements and the closing of various businesses, is adversely affecting current economic conditions in the United States and the demand for office space. Future economic factors also may negatively affect the demand for office space, real estate values, occupancy levels and property income.

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If we are not able to collect sufficient rents from each of our owned real properties, or investments in Sponsored REITs, or collect interest on Sponsored REIT Loans we fund, we may suffer significant operating losses or a reduction in cash available for future dividends.

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A substantial portion of our revenue is generated by the rental income of our real properties and investments in Sponsored REITs. If our properties do not provide us with a steady rental income or we do not collect interest income from Sponsored REIT Loans we fund, our revenues will decrease, which may cause us to incur operating losses in the future and reduce the cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

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We may not be able to dispose of properties on acceptable terms or within the time periods we anticipate pursuant to our disposition strategy.

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We have adopted a strategy to dispose of certain properties in 2021 where we believe our valuation objective has been met and to use the proceeds from such dispositions to repay indebtedness. We may not be able to dispose of properties at acceptable prices or otherwise on anticipated terms and conditions with the time periods contemplated by our disposition strategy, which would adversely affect our ability to repay indebtedness and impair our financial flexibility.

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We may not be able to identify properties that meet our criteria for purchase.

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Growth in our portfolio of real estate is dependent on the ability of our acquisition executives to identify properties for sale and/or development which meet the applicable investment criteria. To the extent they fail to identify such properties, we would be unable to increase the size of our portfolio of real estate, which could reduce the cash otherwise available for distribution to our stockholders.

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We are dependent on key personnel.

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We depend on the efforts of George J. Carter, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors; Jeffrey B. Carter, our President and Chief Investment Officer; Scott H. Carter, our General Counsel, Secretary and an Executive Vice President; John G. Demeritt, our Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and an Executive Vice President; John F. Donahue, our President of FSP Property Management LLC and an Executive Vice President; and Eriel Anchondo, our Chief Operating Officer and an Executive Vice President. If any of our executive officers were to resign, our operations could be adversely affected. We do not have employment agreements with any of our executive officers.

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We face risks from tenant defaults or bankruptcies.

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If any of our tenants defaults on its lease, we may experience delays in enforcing our rights as a landlord and may incur substantial costs in protecting our investment. In addition, at any time, a tenant of one of our properties may seek the protection of bankruptcy laws, which could result in the rejection and termination of such tenant’s lease and thereby cause a reduction in cash available for distribution to our stockholders. For example, on December 21, 2020, the parent company of a tenant that leases approximately 130,000 square feet filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code resulting in a writeoff charge of $3.1 million.

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New acquisitions may fail to perform as expected.

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We may fund the acquisition of new properties with cash, by drawing on the revolving line of credit portion of our BAML Credit Facility, by assuming existing indebtedness, by entering into new indebtedness, by issuing debt securities, by issuing shares of our stock or by other means. Our acquisition activities are subject to the following risks:

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We face risks in owning, developing, redeveloping and operating real property.

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An investment in us is subject to the risks incidental to the ownership, development, redevelopment and operation of real estate-related assets. These risks include the fact that real estate investments are generally illiquid, which may affect our ability to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions, as well as the risks normally associated with:

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Certain significant costs, such as real estate taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance costs, generally are not reduced even when a property’s rental income is reduced. In addition, environmental and tax laws, interest rate levels, the availability of financing and other factors may affect real estate values and property income. Furthermore, the supply of commercial space fluctuates with market conditions.

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We may encounter significant delays in reletting vacant space, resulting in losses of income.

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When leases expire, we may incur expenses and may not be able to re-lease the space on the same terms. While we cannot predict when existing vacant space in properties will be leased, if existing tenants with expiring leases will renew their leases or what the terms and conditions of the lease renewals will be, we expect to renew or sign new leases at current market rates for locations in which the buildings are located, which in some cases may be below the expiring rates. Certain leases provide tenants the right to terminate early if they pay a fee. If we are unable to re-lease space promptly, if the terms are significantly less favorable than anticipated or if the costs are higher, we may have to reduce distributions to our stockholders. Typical lease terms range from five to ten years, so up to approximately 20% of our rental revenue from commercial properties could be expected to expire each year.

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We face risks of tenant-type concentration.

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As of December 31, 2020, approximately 14%, 13%, 11% and 10% of our tenants as a percentage of the total rentable square feet operated in the information technology and computer services industry, the energy services industry, the non-legal professional services industry and the legal services industry, respectively. An economic downturn in these or any industry in which a high concentration of our tenants operate or in which a significant number of our tenants currently or may in the future operate, could negatively impact the financial condition of such tenants and cause them to fail to make timely rental payments or default on lease obligations, fail to renew their leases or renew their leases on terms less favorable to us, become bankrupt or insolvent, or otherwise become unable to satisfy their obligations to us, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

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We face risks from geographic concentration.

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The properties in our portfolio as of December 31, 2020, by aggregate square footage, are distributed geographically as follows: South — 47.6%, West — 27.1%, Midwest — 17.5% and East — 7.8%. However, within certain of those regions, we hold a larger concentration of our properties in Greater Denver, Colorado — 27.1%, Atlanta, Georgia — 20.4%, Houston, Texas — 12.3% and Dallas, Texas — 12.7%. We are likely to face risks to the extent that any of these areas in which we hold a larger concentration of our properties suffer deteriorating economic conditions. Given the fact that the Dallas, Denver and Houston metropolitan areas have a significant presence in the energy sector, a prolonged period of low oil or natural gas prices, or other factors negatively impacting the energy industry, could have an adverse impact on our ability to maintain the occupancy of our properties in those areas or could cause us to lease space at rates below current in-place rents, or at rates below the rates we have leased space in those areas in the prior year. In addition, factors negatively impacting the energy industry could reduce the market values of our properties in those areas, which could reduce our net asset value and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, or cause a decline in the value of our common stock.

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We compete with national, regional and local real estate operators and developers, which could adversely affect our cash flow.

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Competition exists in every market in which our properties are currently located and in every market in which properties we may acquire in the future will be located. We compete with, among others, national, regional and numerous local real estate operators and developers. Such competition may adversely affect the percentage of leased space and the rental revenues of our properties, which could adversely affect our cash flow from operations and our ability to make expected distributions to our stockholders. Some of our competitors may have more resources than we do or other competitive advantages. Competition may be accelerated by any increase in availability of funds for investment in real estate. For example, decreases in interest rates tend to increase the availability of funds and therefore can increase competition. To the extent that our properties continue to operate profitably, this will likely stimulate new development of competing properties. The extent to which we are affected by competition will depend in significant part on both local market conditions and national and global economic conditions.

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We face possible risks associated with the physical effects of climate change. 

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               The physical effects of climate change could have a material adverse effect on our properties, operations and business. For example, climate change could increase utility and other costs of operating our properties, including increased costs for energy, water, insurance, regulatory compliance and other supply chain materials, which if not offset by rising rental income and/or paid by tenants, could have a material adverse effect on our properties, operations and business. We are also subject to climate change induced severe storm hazards, which to the extent not covered by insurance, could result in significant capital expenditures. Over time, the physical effects of climate change could result in declining demand for office space in our buildings or our inability to operate the buildings at all.

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Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which could cause our business and reputation to suffer.

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In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data concerning investors in the Sponsored REITS, tenants and vendors. Although we have taken steps to protect the security of our information technology systems and the data maintained in those systems, such systems and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers, computer viruses or ransomware, or breaches due to employee error, malfeasance, impersonization of authorized users or other disruptions. Any such breach or attack could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and continuously become more sophisticated, often are not recognized until launched against a target and may be difficult to detect for a long time, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventive or detective measures. Any unauthorized access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in significant financial exposure, including significant costs to remediate possible injury to the affected parties. We may also be subject to sanctions and civil or criminal penalties if we are found to be in violation of the privacy or security rules under laws protecting confidential information. Any failure to maintain proper functionality and security of our information systems could interrupt our operations, damage our reputation, subject us to liability claims or regulatory penalties and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

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Actual or threatened terrorist attacks may adversely affect our ability to generate revenues and the value of our properties.

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We have significant investments in markets that may be the targets of actual or threatened terrorism attacks in the future. As a result, some tenants in these markets may choose to relocate their businesses to other markets or to lower-profile office buildings within these markets that may be perceived to be less likely targets of future terrorist activity. This could result in an overall decrease in the demand for office space in these markets generally or in our properties in particular, which could increase vacancies in our properties or necessitate that we lease our properties on less favorable terms or both. In addition, future terrorist attacks in these markets could directly or indirectly damage our properties, both physically and financially, or cause losses that materially exceed our insurance coverage. As a result of the foregoing, our ability to generate revenues and the value of our properties could decline materially. See also “We may lose capital investment or anticipated profits if an uninsured event occurs.”

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We may lose capital investment or anticipated profits if an uninsured event occurs.

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We carry, or our tenants carry, comprehensive liability, fire and extended coverage with respect to each of our properties, with policy specification and insured limits customarily carried for similar properties. There are, however, certain types of losses that may be either uninsurable or not economically insurable. Should an uninsured material loss occur, we could lose both capital invested in the property and anticipated profits.

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Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters

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We are subject to possible liability relating to environmental matters, and we cannot assure you that we have identified all possible liabilities.

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Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, we, as an owner or operator of real property may become liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous substances released on or in our property. Such laws may impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or caused, the release of such hazardous substances. The presence of hazardous substances on a property may adversely affect the owner’s ability to sell such property or to borrow using such property as collateral, and it may cause the owner of the property to incur substantial remediation costs. In addition to claims for cleanup costs, the presence of hazardous substances on a property could result in the owner incurring substantial liabilities as a result of a claim by a private party for personal injury or a claim by an adjacent property owner for property damage.

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In addition, we cannot assure you that:

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We are subject to compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and fire and safety regulations, any of which could require us to make significant capital expenditures.

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All of our properties are required to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act, or ADA, and the regulations, rules and orders that may be issued thereunder. The ADA has separate compliance requirements for “public accommodations” and “commercial facilities,” but generally requires that buildings be made accessible to persons with disabilities. Compliance with ADA requirements might require, among other things, removal of access barriers. Noncompliance with such requirements could result in the imposition of fines by the U.S. government or an award of damages to private litigants.

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In addition, we are required to operate our properties in compliance with fire and safety regulations, building codes and other land use regulations, as they may be adopted by governmental agencies and bodies and become applicable to our properties. Compliance with such requirements may require us to make substantial capital expenditures, which expenditures would reduce cash otherwise available for distribution to our stockholders.

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We face risks associated with our tenants being designated “Prohibited Persons” by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

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Pursuant to Executive Order 13224 and other laws, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury, or OFAC, maintains a list of persons designated as terrorists or who are otherwise blocked or banned, which we refer to as Prohibited Persons. OFAC regulations and other laws prohibit conducting business or engaging in transactions with Prohibited Persons, or collectively, the “OFAC Requirements”. Our current leases and certain other agreements require the other party to comply with the OFAC Requirements. If a tenant or other party with whom we contract is placed on the OFAC list, we may be required by the OFAC Requirements to terminate the lease or other agreement. Any such termination could result in a loss of revenue or a damage claim by the other party that the termination was wrongful.

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Risks Related to our Common Stock

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Our level of dividends may fluctuate.

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Because our real estate occupancy levels and rental rates can fluctuate, there is no predictable recurring level of revenue from such activities and changes in interest rates or in the mix of our fixed and variable rate debt can cause our interest costs to fluctuate. As a result of these fluctuations, the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders may fluctuate, which may result in our not being able to maintain or grow dividend levels in the future.

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The real properties held by us may significantly decrease in value.

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As of December 31, 2020, we owned 34 properties, consisting of 32 operating properties and 2 redevelopment properties. Some or all of these properties may decline in value. To the extent our real properties decline in value, our stockholders could lose some or all of the value of their investments. The value of our common stock may be adversely affected if the real properties held by us decline in value since these real properties represent the majority of the tangible assets held by us. Moreover, if we are forced to sell or lease the real property held by us below its initial purchase price

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or its carrying costs, respectively, or if we are forced to lease real property at below market rates because of the condition of the property, our results of operations would be adversely affected and such negative results of operations may result in lower dividends being paid to holders of our common stock.

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Further issuances of equity securities may be dilutive to current stockholders.

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The interests of our existing stockholders could be diluted if we issue additional equity securities to finance future acquisitions, repay indebtedness or to fund other general corporate purposes. Our ability to execute our business strategy depends on our access to an appropriate blend of debt financing, including unsecured lines of credit and other forms of secured and unsecured debt, and equity financing.

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The price of our common stock may vary.

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The market prices for our common stock may fluctuate with changes in market and economic conditions, including the market perception of real estate investment trusts, or REITs, in general, and changes in our financial condition and results of operations. Such fluctuations may depress the market price of our common stock independent of the financial performance of FSP Corp. The market conditions for REIT stocks generally could affect the market price of our common stock.

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Risks Related to our Organization and Structure

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Our employee retention plan may prevent changes in control.

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During February 2006, our Board of Directors approved a change in control plan, which included a form of retention agreement and discretionary payment plan. Payments under the discretionary plan are capped at 1% of the market capitalization of FSP Corp. as reduced by the amount paid under the retention plan. The costs associated with these two components of the plan may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us and may thereby inhibit a change in control under circumstances that could otherwise give the holders of our common stock the opportunity to realize a greater premium over the then-prevailing market prices.

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We would incur adverse tax consequences if we failed to qualify as a REIT.

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The provisions of the tax code governing the taxation of REITs are very technical and complex, and although we expect that we will be organized and will operate in a manner that will enable us to meet such requirements, no assurance can be given that we will always succeed in doing so. In addition, as a result of our past acquisition of certain Sponsored REITs by merger, which we refer to as target REITs, we might no longer qualify as a REIT. We could lose our ability to so qualify for a variety of reasons relating to the nature of the assets acquired from the target REITs, the identity of the stockholders of the target REITs who become our stockholders or the failure of one or more of the target REITs to have previously qualified as a REIT. Moreover, if one or more of the target REITs that we acquired in May 2008, April 2006, April 2005 or June 2003 did not qualify as a REIT immediately prior to the consummation of its acquisition, we could be disqualified as a REIT as a result of such acquisition.

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If in any taxable year we do not qualify as a REIT, we would be taxed as a corporation and distributions to our stockholders would not be deductible by us in computing our taxable income. In addition, if we were to fail to qualify as a REIT, we could be disqualified from treatment as a REIT in the year in which such failure occurred and for the next four taxable years and, consequently, we would be taxed as a regular corporation during such years. Failure to qualify for even one taxable year could result in a significant reduction of our cash available for distribution to our stockholders or could require us to incur indebtedness or liquidate investments in order to generate sufficient funds to pay the resulting federal income tax liabilities.

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Provisions in our organizational documents may prevent changes in control.

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Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions, described below, which may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us and may thereby inhibit a change of control under

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circumstances that could otherwise give the holders of our common stock the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market prices.

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Ownership Limits. In order for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, the holders of our common stock may be limited to owning, either directly or under applicable attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code, no more than 9.8% of the lesser of the value or the number of our equity shares, and no holder of common stock may acquire or transfer shares that would result in our shares of common stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons. Such ownership limit may have the effect of preventing an acquisition of control of us without the approval of our board of directors. Our Articles of Incorporation give our board of directors the right to refuse to give effect to the acquisition or transfer of shares by a stockholder in violation of these provisions.

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Board Terms. Prior to our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, our board of directors was divided into three classes, with directors of each class elected to serve a three year term. Following the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, we amended our articles of incorporation to provide that each of the successors to the directors whose terms expired in 2020 would be elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders, each of the successors to the directors whose terms expired in 2021, along with the successors to the directors elected at the 2020 annual meeting, would be elected to serve until the following annual meeting of stockholders and beginning with the annual meeting of stockholders in 2022 all directors would be elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders. As a result, during the transition period prior to the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, the staggered terms for directors may affect our stockholders’ ability to effect a change in control even if a change in control may be in the stockholders best interest.

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Preferred Stock. Our Articles of Incorporation authorize our board of directors to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.0001 per share, and to establish the preferences and rights of any such shares issued. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control even if a change in control may be in our stockholders’ best interest.

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Increase of Authorized Stock. Our board of directors, without any vote or consent of the stockholders, may increase the number of authorized shares of any class or series of stock or the aggregate number of authorized shares we have authority to issue. The ability to increase the number of authorized shares and issue such shares could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control even if a change in control may be in our stockholders’ best interest.

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Amendment of Bylaws. Our board of directors has the power to amend our Bylaws. This power could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control even if a change in control may be in our stockholders’ best interests.

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Stockholder Meetings. Our Bylaws require advance notice for stockholder proposals to be considered at annual and special meetings of stockholders and for stockholder nominations for election of directors at annual and special meetings of stockholders. The advance notice provisions require a proponent to provide us with detailed information about the proponent and/or nominee. Our Bylaws also provide that stockholders entitled to cast more than 50% of all the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting must join in a request by stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders and that a specific process for the meeting request must be followed. These provisions could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control even if a change in control may be in the best interests of our stockholders.

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Supermajority Votes Required. Our Articles of Incorporation require the affirmative vote of the holders of no less than 80% of the shares of capital stock outstanding and entitled to vote in order (i) to amend the provisions of our Articles of Incorporation relating to the removal of directors, limitation of liability of officers and directors or indemnification of officers and directors or (ii) to amend our Articles of Incorporation to impose cumulative voting in the election of directors. These provisions could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control even if a change in control may be in our stockholders’ best interest.

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Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments.

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None.

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Item 2.Properties

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Set forth below is information regarding our properties as of December 31, 2020:

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As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately 0.3 million rentable square feet in our Redevelopment Properties. The following table summarizes these properties:

(1) Anticipated investment includes capitalized redevelopment costs, capitalized interest and lease-up costs.

(2) Leased square feet was 155,808 as of December 31, 2020.

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All of the properties listed above are owned, directly or indirectly, by us. None of our properties are subject to any mortgage loans. We have no other material undeveloped or unimproved properties, or proposed programs for material renovation or development of any of our properties in 2021. We believe that our properties are adequately covered by insurance as of December 31, 2020.

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The information presented below provides the weighted average GAAP rent per square foot for the year ended December 31, 2020 for our properties and weighted occupancy square feet and percentages. GAAP rent includes the impact of tenant concessions and reimbursements. This table does not include information about properties held by our investments in nonconsolidated REITs or those which we have provided Sponsored REIT Loans.

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