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NATIONAL PROPERTY ANALYSTS MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP - FORM 10-K - March 29, 2010
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
¨ TRANSITION REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934
NATIONAL PROPERTY ANALYSTS
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
230 S. Broad Street,
Mezzanine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's
telephone number, including area code:
(215)790-4700
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Units of Limited Partnership
Interest
(Title of
class)
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined
in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act.
Yes
¨ No x
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 x
Note –
Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15 (d) of the Exchange Act from their
obligations under those Sections.
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 x No
¨
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. x
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See
definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of
the Exchange Act.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ¨ No x
Aggregate
Market Value of Voting and Non-Voting Common Equity Held by non-affiliates of
the Registrant: N/A
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
INDEX
ii
Forward-Looking
Statements
From time
to time, management may provide information, whether orally or in writing,
including certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which are
deemed to be “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Litigation Reform Act”). These
forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and expectations
with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to
risks and uncertainties and other factors outside management’s control that may
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.
The words
“anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “should” and
similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect management’s current views
with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties
and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize,
or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated,
expected or intended or using other similar expressions. Management does not
intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. In
accordance with the provisions of the Litigation Reform Act, we are making the
limited partners aware that such forward-looking statements, because they relate
to future events, are by their very nature subject to many important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by
the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and
any exhibits to this Form 10-K. Such factors include, but are not limited to:
the outcome of litigation and regulatory proceedings to which NPAMLP may be a
party; actions of competitors; changes and developments affecting our industry;
quarterly or cyclical variations in financial results; the ability to attract
and retain tenants at market rates; interest rates and cost of borrowing;
management’s ability to maintain and improve cost efficiency of operations;
changes in economic conditions, political conditions, and other
factors that are set forth in the “Legal Proceedings” section, the “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”
section and other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as in our
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. iii
PART
I
Item
1. Business
I. Summary
The following summary is qualified in
its entirety by the more detailed information and financial statements appearing
elsewhere in the Annual Report. Reference is made to the Glossary,
which appears at the end of this Item for the definition of certain capitalized
terms used in the Summary and elsewhere in this Report.
A. The Master Limited
Partnership
National Property Analysts Master
Limited Partnership (“NPAMLP”) was organized under the Delaware Revised Uniform
Limited Partnership Act in January, 1990 as part of a consolidation of the
operation of properties owned by certain limited partnerships (the
“Partnerships”) previously sponsored by National Property Analysts, Inc. and its
affiliates (“NPA”). The term of NPAMLP will continue until December
31, 2013, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms of the limited
partnership agreement of NPAMLP (the “Partnership Agreement”). See
“Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations - V. Indebtedness Secured by the Properties - D. Future Interest
Agreement.”
NPAMLP's principal executive offices
are located at 230 South Broad Street, Mezzanine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19102 (telephone: 215-790-4700).
B. The General
Partners
The General Partners of NPAMLP are
EBL&S, Inc., an affiliate of NPA (the “Managing General Partner”) and
Feldman International, Inc. (the “Equity General Partner”). The
Managing General Partner and the Equity General Partner are collectively
referred to as the “General Partners”. The Managing General Partner
manages and controls all aspects of the business of NPAMLP. The
Managing General Partner is owned 100% by E & H Properties, Inc., an
affiliate of NPA and holds no ownership interest in NPAMLP. The
Equity General Partner holds a 1% general partner interest in
NPAMLP. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party
Transactions.”
C. The Properties and
Indebtedness Secured by the Properties
NPAMLP owns 24 properties, inclusive of
tenant-in-common (“TIC”) interests, as of December 31, 2009, which consist
primarily of shopping centers and free standing, single tenant retail stores
(the “Properties”). The Properties are subject to certain
indebtedness, which was incurred in connection with the acquisition of the
Properties by the Partnerships. See “Item 7. Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.”
D. NPAMLP Objectives and
Policies
NPAMLP intends to hold the Properties
until such time as it is deemed prudent to dispose of the
Properties. However, the Partnership in accordance with the terms of
the Partnership Agreement will terminate on December 31, 2013. See
further discussion under “II. NPAMLP Objectives and Policies”, below; see “Item
7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - V. Indebtedness Secured by the Properties - D. Future Interest
Agreement.”
E. Limited Partners' Share of
Cash Flow from Operations
The Limited Partners will receive, on
an annual basis, 99% of the Cash Flow from Operations as defined in the
Partnership Agreement. It is not anticipated that NPAMLP will be in a
position to distribute Cash Flow from Operations to its partners in the
foreseeable future.
F. Limited Partners' Share of
Proceeds of Sales Distributions
Proceeds of Sales of the Properties
available to be distributed by NPAMLP will be distributed 99% to the Limited
Partners and 1% to the Equity General Partner. It is not anticipated
that NPAMLP will be in a position to distribute Proceeds of Sales to its
partners in the foreseeable future. 1
G. Allocations of Profits and
Losses
Taxable
income from NPAMLP operations or from a capital transaction will be allocated
99% to the Limited Partners and 1% to the Equity General
Partner. Taxable losses from NPAMLP operations or from capital
transactions generally have been allocated 99% to the Limited Partners and 1% to
the Equity General Partner.
H. Compensation to the General
Partner and Affiliates
The Managing General Partner will
receive certain compensation for its services including reimbursement of certain
of its expenses and the Equity Partner will receive a portion of Cash Flow from
Operations and Proceeds of Sales of the Properties. An affiliate of
the Managing General Partner will receive a management fee for managing the
Properties and a leasing fee for obtaining or renewing leases. See
“Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions - I.
Compensation and Fees.”
I. Fiscal
Year
NPAMLP's fiscal year begins on January
1 and ends on December 31 of each year.
II. NPAMLP Objectives and
Policies
A. NPAMLP
Objectives
NPAMLP intends to hold the Properties
until such time as it is deemed prudent to dispose of one or more or all of the
Properties. The precise timing of disposition of Properties is at the
discretion of the Managing General Partner. However, the Partnership
in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement is expected to
terminate not later than December 31, 2013. See “Item 7. Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - V.
Indebtedness Secured by the Properties - D. Future Interest
Agreement.”
It is anticipated that the forgiveness
of Wrap Mortgages, if any, and the process of selling Properties, which are
owned by Unaudited Partnerships, and applying sales proceeds to make payments on
the Wrap Mortgages will result in the Limited Partners having to report
substantial taxable income when the Properties are sold without the
corresponding receipt of any cash proceeds therefrom (unless and until the
Threshold Amount has been exceeded). The Consolidation and Restructuring was
intended to avoid a foreclosure of Properties and to preserve for Limited
Partners the potential for deriving an economic benefit from the future sales of
the Properties, while at the same time possibly deferring the recognition of
taxable income for some Limited Partners.
The objectives of NPAMLP are to
implement effective management, leasing, cost control and capital improvement
policies and techniques with respect to the Properties, to: (i) preserve and
protect NPAMLP's Properties in order to avoid the loss of any Properties to
foreclosure; (ii) enhance the potential for appreciation in the value of
NPAMLP's Properties; and (iii) eventually provide Cash Flow from
Operations. It is not anticipated that NPAMLP will be in a position
to distribute Cash Flow from Operations to its partners in the foreseeable
future.
The determination of whether a Property
should be sold or otherwise disposed of will be made by the Managing General
Partner after consideration of relevant factors, including performance of the
Property, market conditions, the financial requirements of NPAMLP and the tax
consequences to Limited Partners, with a view toward achieving the principal
investment objectives of NPAMLP. In connection with a sale of a
Property, a purchase money obligation secured by a mortgage may be taken as part
payment; there are no limitations or restrictions on NPAMLP's taking such
purchase money obligations. The terms of payment to NPAMLP are
affected by custom in the area in which each Property is located and the
then-prevailing economic conditions. To the extent the Partnership
receives notes and other property instead of cash on sales, such proceeds (other
than any interest payable thereon) will not be included in Proceeds of Sales of
the Properties until and to the extent the notes or other property are actually
paid, sold, refinanced or otherwise disposed of; and therefore, the distribution
of such proceeds to NPAMLP may be delayed until such time.
2
NPAMLP may not acquire additional
properties. However, in the Managing General Partner's discretion,
NPAMLP may, in appropriate circumstances, exchange Properties for new properties
in transactions structured to be non-taxable events in whole or in substantial
part under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, and the proceeds of an
involuntary conversion may be invested in property in transactions structured to
be non-taxable in whole or in part under Section 1033 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
B. Competition for
Tenants
NPAMLP's Properties consist primarily
of shopping centers and freestanding, single tenant retail stores located in 14
states. Of the 24 properties owned by NPAMLP, 14 properties have only
1 or 2 tenants (“Single Tenant Properties”). The tenants in the
Single Tenant Properties are primarily national retailers or supermarkets
(“Anchor Tenants”). The 10 remaining properties are multi-tenant
shopping center properties (“Shopping Center Properties”). The
tenants in the Shopping Center Properties generally include Anchor Tenants and a
variety of tenants occupying less substantial portions of the property (“Local
Tenants”).
1. Anchor
Tenants
The Anchor Tenant leases at lease
inception are usually for 15 to 25 years. These Anchor Tenant leases
are at various stages of maturity. Upon expiration of the initial
lease term, renewal options are usually available to the Anchor
Tenants. See "Item 2. Properties." The high concentration
of minimum rent received from Anchor Tenants under the terms of long term leases
generally provide NPAMLP with protection against a significant reduction in
rental income; however, this also restricts the growth opportunity for
NPAMLP.
NPAMLP's primary Anchor Tenants are Sun
Microsystems, Sears Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries
(“Sears”) and CVS Corporation (“CVS”), which in 2009 accounted for approximately
23%, 18% and 14%, respectively, of the rental income received by
NPAMLP. As of December 31, 2009, NPAMLP had 1 lease with Sun
Microsystems for approximately 250,000 square feet. The rent per
square foot for the Sun Microsystems lease as of December 31, 2009, was
$49.90. As of December 31, 2009, no balance was due from Sun
Microsystems under its lease. As of December 31, 2009, NPAMLP had 7
leases with Sears aggregating approximately 704,000 square
feet. NPAMLP’s average rent per square foot for all of the Sears
leases as of December 31, 2009, was $3.32. As of December 31, 2009,
$92,000 was due from Sears under four (4) of its leases. As of December 31,
2009, NPAMLP had 5 leases with CVS aggregating approximately 57,000 square
feet. NPAMLP’s average rent per square foot for all of the CVS leases
as of December 31, 2009, was $31.16. As of December 31, 2009, there
were no amounts due from CVS under its leases.
The Managing General Partner has had
periodic discussions with representatives of Sears to review and discuss with
them their plans for the various Sears stores. In the past, in
instances where Sears stores were determined to be undersized and inadequate to
accommodate Sears’ current needs, expansions of the existing facilities were
undertaken wherever possible. Other than noted below, management is currently
unaware of any plans of Sears, or any of its other Anchor Tenants, to expand or
close any of their stores owned by NPAMLP, although there can be no assurance
that Sears, or any other Anchor Tenant, will not close stores in the
future.
In 2010,
the current lease terms of four Anchor Tenant spaces are scheduled to
mature. The Anchor Tenant at the Kalamazoo, MI property has already
indicated it will not exercise an option to renew that lease. All of
the three other Anchor Tenant leases have renewal options
available. Management believes that although the lease option rates
for these leases are favorable to the Anchor Tenants, there can be no assurance
that the tenants will exercise their renewal options. If the Anchor Tenants
elect not to exercise a renewal option, management will endeavor to re-tenant
the properties with comparable tenants at rental rates equal to or higher than
the existing rate. In the current economic environment it is difficult to
predict the availability of replacement tenants or the timing of that
replacement (See “Item 2. – Properties”, Schedule 3).
2. Local
Tenants
Marketing of Local Tenant space is
accomplished through signage, direct mailing, advertisements and through
coordinated listings with local leasing brokers. 3
The NPAMLP Properties' occupancy rate
for Local Tenant space is 64% at December 31, 2009. The lease terms for Local
Tenant space typically range from 1 to 3 years. The competitive
conditions applicable to Local Tenant space vary from Property to
Property. However, as a general matter, it can be said that the
market for Local Tenant space is highly competitive and, with respect to NPAMLP
Properties, is typically a function of NPAMLP's rental rates as compared to the
local market. However, in instances where a multi-tenant Property has
Anchor Tenant space and the Anchor Tenant space is vacant (at December 31, 2009,
one Shopping Center Property has Anchor Tenant space which is vacant), the
vacancy in the Anchor Tenant space makes the rental of the Local Tenant space
more difficult.
C. Prohibited Activities and
Investments
NPAMLP does not engage in any business
not related to the operations of the Properties. Additionally, NPAMLP
does not: (i) sell additional limited partnership interests in NPAMLP; (ii)
issue limited partnership interests in exchange for property; (iii) issue senior
securities or make loans or investments in real estate mortgages other than in
connection with a contemplated purchase or sale or disposition of the
Properties; (iv) make loans to the General Partners or its affiliates; (v)
invest in or underwrite the securities of other issuers for any purpose,
including investing in securities for the purpose of exercising control; (vi)
operate in such a manner as not to be exempt from classification as an
“investment company” for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940; (vii)
purchase or lease any property from or sell or lease any property to the General
Partners or its affiliates, except that with respect to leases, the General
Partners and its affiliates may lease space in the Properties on terms no more
favorable than those offered to non-affiliated persons; (viii) invest in junior
mortgages or deeds of trust, except that the acquisition or granting of junior
mortgages or deeds of trust in connection with the sale, purchase, financing or
refinancing of a Property shall not be deemed to be investing in junior
mortgages or deeds of trust; (ix) commingle the funds of NPAMLP with any other
person's; (x) invest in limited partnership interests; (xi) construct or develop
properties; (xii) enter into joint venture agreements; or (xiii) receive rebates
or give-ups in connection with NPAMLP.
D. Insurance on
Properties
NPAMLP has liability insurance covering
most of the Properties. The third party liability coverage insures,
among others, NPAMLP and the General Partners. Property insurance has
also been obtained that insures NPAMLP for fire and other casualty losses in an
amount that covers the replacement cost of the covered Properties. NPAMLP does
not maintain property and liability insurance on Properties for which the Anchor
Tenants are responsible for providing such insurance. In addition, NPAMLP is
covered under fidelity insurance policies in amounts that the Managing General
Partner deems sufficient. Such insurance coverage is reviewed at
least annually and adjusted to account for variations in value.
III. Glossary
“Capital Improvement” shall
mean any improvement to any Property that is required to be capitalized or
amortized by NPAMLP, pursuant to accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America.
“Capital Improvement Debt”
shall mean indebtedness incurred by NPAMLP for Capital
Improvements.
“Cash Flow from Operations”
shall mean, with respect to NPAMLP, Operating Revenues less Operating Cash
Expenses and Reserves.
“Consolidation” shall mean the
consolidation of the ownership and operations of the Properties in
NPAMLP.
“Debt Service” shall mean the
aggregate principal and interest payments required on the Third Party Underlying
Obligations in calendar year 1990 with respect to the Properties owned by
NPAMLP.
“Equity General Partner” shall
mean Feldman International, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Excess Proceeds” shall mean
the Proceeds of Sales of the Properties in excess of the Minimum Payoff Amount
and Capital Improvement Debt. 4
“General Partners” shall mean
EBL&S, Inc., the Managing General Partner of NPAMLP and Feldman
International, Inc., the Equity General Partner of NPAMLP.
“Investor Note Payments” shall
mean the payment by Investor Note Payors of amounts becoming due on or after
June 1, 1989 on the Investor Notes.
“Investor Note Payors” shall
mean the limited partners of Partnerships who made payments which became due on
or after June 8, 1989 on the Investor Notes.
“Investor Note Recovery” shall
mean the Excess Proceeds available for distribution to NPAMLP after the first
$28 million of Excess Proceeds has been retained by NPAMLP, in an amount equal
to the lesser of the Investor Note Payments or $25 million.
“Investor Notes” shall mean
the promissory notes executed and tendered by Limited Partners as payments for a
portion of the purchase price of their interest in a Partnership.
“Limited Partners” shall mean
all persons who hold limited partnership interests in NPAMLP.
“Management Agreement” shall
mean the agreement entered into by and between NPAMLP and EBL&S Property
Management, Inc. pursuant to which the Property Manager will manage the
Properties in consideration of a property management fee (equal to five percent
(5%) of NPAMLP's gross operating revenues) and a leasing fee (equal to the fee
customarily charged in the geographic areas in which the Properties are
located).
“Minimum Payoff Amount” shall
mean the payment made by NPAMLP pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement equal to
the sum of (i) the balance of the Third Party Underlying Obligations on a
Property on January 1, 1990 and (ii) any prepayment penalties or
premiums.
“Managing General Partner”
shall mean EBL&S, Inc, a Delaware corporation.
“MLPG” shall mean Main Line
Pension Group, a Delaware limited partnership.
“NPA” shall mean National
Property Analysts, Inc. and the corporations and partnerships now or previously
controlled by, related to or affiliated with, directly or indirectly, National
Property Analysts, Inc. and Mr. Edward Lipkin, including, but not limited to E
& H Properties, Inc., National Property Analysts Management Company, and
National Property Management Corp.
“NPAEP” shall mean National
Property Analysts Employee Partnership, a Delaware limited
partnership.
“NPAMLP” shall mean National
Property Analysts Master Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited
partnership.
“Operating Cash Expenses”
shall mean the amount of cash paid by NPAMLP for costs and expenses incurred in
the ordinary course of its business including, without limitation, (i) Debt
Service, (ii) debt service payments on Capital Improvement Debt, (iii) fees paid
to the Property Manager and (iv) repairs and maintenance, utilities, taxes and
certain tenant improvements, employee salaries, travel on NPAMLP business,
advertising and promotion, supplies, legal, accounting, statistical or
bookkeeping services, and printing and mailing of reports and
communications.
“Operating Revenues” shall
mean the cash receipts of NPAMLP, other than (i) the proceeds of sales of the
Properties and (ii) proceeds of borrowings of NPAMLP, received in cash during
NPAMLP’s fiscal year.
“Partnership Agreement” shall
mean the limited partnership agreement entered into between the General Partners
and the Limited Partners of NPAMLP.
“Partnerships” shall mean
certain limited partnerships previously sponsored by NPA. 5
“Pension Groups” shall mean
the limited partnerships comprised of various pension and profit sharing trusts
which sold the Properties to the Partnerships, and includes Main Line Pension
Group (“MLPG”), a Delaware limited partnership which acquired the ownership of
the Wrap Mortgages from the original holders and NPAEP and PVPG, both Delaware
limited partnerships which subsequently acquired ownership of certain Wrap
Mortgages from MLPG.
“Proceeds of Sales
Distributions” shall mean the distributions made by NPAMLP from the
proceeds of sales of the Properties as defined in the Partnership
Agreement.
“Proceeds of Sales of the
Properties” shall mean, for purposes of the Restructuring Agreement, at
the time of the calculation thereof, (a) the gross sales proceeds (including the
then-outstanding principal amount of indebtedness for borrowed money assumed or
taken subject to) from the sale of any Property or Properties occurring and
after the date the Properties were transferred to NPAMLP, minus (b) all
reasonable costs and expenses incurred by a Partnership or a successor to a
Partnership (including NPAMLP), in connection with any such sale, including
without limitation, brokerage commissions to independent third parties, legal
fees and costs, transfer taxes, mortgage taxes, prepayment penalties payable to
independent third parties, title insurance and all other customary closing costs
and expenses.
“Property” or “Properties”
shall mean one, some or all of the parcels of real property owned by NPAMLP
(inclusive of tenant-in-common interests).
“PVPG” shall mean Penn Valley
Pension Group, a Delaware limited partnership.
“Property Manager” shall mean
EBL&S Property Management, Inc.
“Reserves” shall mean the
amount determined by the Managing General Partner, in its sole discretion, to be
set aside for future requirements of NPAMLP. At the end of each year,
any unexpended reserves not continued as Reserves will be treated as Cash Flow
from Operations.
“Restructuring” shall mean the
restructuring of the Wrap Mortgages and the Second Mortgages.
“Restructuring Agreement”
shall mean the agreement entered into by and between NPAMLP, the Pension Groups
and certain NPA affiliates to restructure the Wrap Mortgages and the Second
Mortgages.
“Restructured Wrap Mortgages”
shall mean the Wrap Mortgages as modified by the Restructuring
Agreement.
“Second Mortgage” shall mean
any purchase money mortgage or deed of trust created by a Pension Group upon its
purchase of a Property that is a subordinate lien against the Property in favor
of an NPA affiliate and evidenced by a promissory note.
“Tenant Improvements” shall
mean construction to the Properties completed for the benefit of the tenants'
use of the Property.
“Third Party Debt Service”
shall mean payments of principal and interest on Third Party Underlying
Obligations.
“Third Party Underlying
Obligations” shall mean those obligations secured by the Property
underlying the Wrap Mortgages held by persons or entities other than NPA, or its
affiliates.
“Threshold Amount” shall mean
payments on the Wrap Mortgages generated by Proceeds of Sales of the Properties
in an amount equal to $45,000,000 in excess of the Third Party Underlying
Obligations as of January 1, 1990 secured by such Properties. As of
December 31, 2009, approximately $36,602,000 had been applied in reduction of
the Threshold Amount.
“Unaudited Partnerships” shall
mean the Partnerships included in NPAMLP that were not audited by the Internal
Revenue Service.
“Units” shall mean units of
limited partnership interest in NPAMLP. 6
“Wrap Mortgages” shall mean
the mortgages securing the Wrap Notes that were delivered to the Pension Groups
by the Partnerships at the time of the acquisition of the Property.
“Wrap Notes” shall mean the
promissory notes secured by the Wrap Mortgages.
Item
1 (A). Risk Factors
Not applicable
Item
1 (B). Unresolved Staff Comments
None
Item
2. Properties
NPAMLP's Properties consist primarily
of shopping centers and freestanding, single tenant retail stores. As
of December 31, 2009, NPAMLP owned and operated 24 Properties located in 14
states, with 57% of the Properties being Single Tenant Properties and 43% being
Shopping Center Properties.
Set forth below are schedules providing
information with respect to the Properties and the indebtedness secured by the
Properties. Schedule 1 provides a description of the Properties and
certain tenant information. Schedule 2 provides certain information
regarding tenant lease expirations. Schedule 3 provides information
regarding the Third Party Underlying Obligations secured by the
Properties.
Under applicable law, in certain
circumstances, the owner or operator of real property has an obligation to clean
up hazardous and toxic substances on the property. This obligation is
often imposed without regard to the timing, cause or person responsible for such
substances on the property. The presence of such substances on a
Property would have an adverse impact on the operating costs and sale or
refinancing of such Property. None of the Properties are presently
the subject of any environmental enforcement actions under any such statutes,
and the General Partners do not have any information or knowledge about the
presence of such substances requiring remediation on any of the
Properties. If it is claimed or determined that such substances do
exist on any of such Properties, NPAMLP could be subject to such cleanup
obligations. There can be no assurance that hazardous or toxic substances will
not be discovered on one or more Properties in the future, or that NPAMLP will
not incur environmental clean-up or remediation costs in the future, including
in connection with environmental assessments and investigations performed in
connection with any future sale of properties. The presence of such
substances may make a Property unmarketable or substantially decrease its
value. Any environmental cleanup expenses incurred in connection with
a sale would directly reduce proceeds derived from the sale of the
Property. 7
Schedule
1
Description of Property
Tenant Information
(a) Gross
Leasable Area.
(b) Based
on leases in effect as of December 31, 2009.
(c) Based
on occupied space.
(d) NPAMLP
owns an 82% interest in this property. Minimum rent amounts reflects
NPAMLP’s percentage ownership.
(e) NPAMLP
owns a 23.9% tenant-in-common interest in this property. Minimum rent
amounts reflects NPAMLP’s percentage ownership. 8
Schedule
1, Continued
Description of Property
Tenant Information
Major Tenant
Information
(a) Gross
Leasable Area
(b) NPAMLP
owns an 82% interest in this property. Annual rent amount reflects
NPAMLP’s percentage ownership.
(c) NPAMLP owns a
23.9% tenant-in-common interest in this property. Annual rent amount
reflects NPAMLP’s percentage ownership.
N/A
- Not Applicable 9
Schedule
2
Tenant Lease
Expirations
(a) Gross
Leasable Area.
(b) Based
on leases in effect as of December 31, 2009. 10
Schedule
2, Continued
Tenant Lease
Expirations
(a) Gross
Leasable Area.
(b) Based
on leases in effect as of December 31, 2009.
11
Schedule
3
Third
Party Underlying Obligations
(a) NPAMLP
owns an 82% interest in the property. Loan balance reflects NPAMLP’s
percentage ownership.
(b) NPAMLP
owns a 23.9% tenant-in-common interest in this property. Loan balance reflects
NPAMLP’s percentage ownership. 12
Schedule
3, Continued
Third
Party Underlying Obligations
(a) NPAMLP
owns an 82% interest in the property. Loan balance and annual debt
service reflect NPAMLP’s percentage ownership.
(b) NPAMLP
owns a 23.9% Tenant in Common interest in this property. Loan balance and annual
debt service reflect NPAMLP’s percentage ownership. 13
Item
3. Legal
Proceedings
NPAMLP is involved in
various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of property
operations. In the opinion of the General Partners, the ultimate
disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on NPAMLP's
financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Item
4. Submission of Matters to a
Vote of Security Holders
Not
Applicable. 14
PART
II
I. No Trading
Market
There is no trading market for the
Units in NPAMLP. NPAMLP Units are not transferable except by will,
inheritance or operation of law. To date no transfers other than
those by will, inheritance and operation of law have been
permitted.
In addition, the Partnership Agreement
places additional restrictions on the transferability of the
Units. The Limited Partners of NPAMLP are prohibited from selling
their Units unless such sale is at the Managing General Partner's direction, is
accomplished in a single transaction involving all Limited Partners' interests
to a single purchaser, and is accomplished simultaneously with the sale of the
Equity General Partner's interest in NPAMLP.
As of December 31, 2009, there were
97,752 Units outstanding held by approximately 2,600 Limited
Partners.
II. Distributions of Cash Flow
From Operations
NPAMLP may make annual distributions to
its partners in an aggregate amount equal to its Cash Flow from
Operations. NPAMLP has not made any distributions of Cash Flow from
Operations to its partners since its organization. It is not
anticipated that NPAMLP will be in a position to distribute Cash Flow from
Operations to its partners in the foreseeable future.
NPAMLP may not reinvest Cash Flow from
Operations in additional real estate investments.
III. Proceeds of Sales
Distributions
The Proceeds of Sales of the Properties
may not be reinvested in additional real properties, except as permitted with
respect to transactions that are non-taxable in whole or in substantial part
under Section 1031 or 1033 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Proceeds
of Sales of the Properties, after payment of related expenses and indebtedness
and provision for reasonable reserves, will be available for NPAMLP purposes,
including paying Debt Service or providing for Capital Improvements with respect
to other Properties owned by NPAMLP. After making the payments
required by the Restructuring Agreement with respect to the Wrap Mortgages, all
proceeds not utilized for NPAMLP purposes will be distributed to the partners of
NPAMLP.
The Restructuring Agreement provides
for a sharing of cash from the Proceeds of Sales of the Properties after
repayment of the Third Party Underlying Obligations once the net Proceeds of
Sale of the Properties exceed the Threshold Amount. Additionally, the
Limited Partners of NPAMLP receive 40% of the Cash Flow from Operations, if any,
in excess of Debt Service and any Capital Improvements and Reserves as
considered necessary. The remaining cash flow, if any, is applied to
the Wrap Mortgages in payment of accrued interest and then
principal.
NPAMLP has not made any Proceeds of
Sales Distributions to its partners since its organization. It is not
anticipated that NPAMLP will be in a position to distribute Proceeds of Sales to
its partners in the foreseeable future.
IV. Certain Income Tax
Considerations
It is anticipated that future
forgiveness of Wrap Mortgages, if any, and the potential of selling Properties,
which are owned by Unaudited Partnerships, and applying sales proceeds to make
payments on the Wrap Mortgages may require the Limited Partners to report
substantial taxable income when the Properties are sold without the
corresponding receipt of any cash proceeds therefrom (unless and until the
Threshold Amount has been exceeded).
Limited Partners are allocated their
share of NPAMLP's taxable income and gain even if they receive no cash
distributions from NPAMLP with which to pay any resulting tax liability, and
will be allocated their share of NPAMLP's tax losses, including depreciation
deductions. It is anticipated that NPAMLP will generate gradually
increasing amounts (which will ultimately be substantial) of taxable income,
inasmuch as interest expense and depreciation expense are gradually decreasing
each year. 15
As and when the Properties
are sold or otherwise disposed of (and whether or not any cash is distributed to
Limited Partners in respect of such sales), all taxable income will be allocated
among those Limited Partners who were partners in the Partnership which owned
the Property prior to the Consolidation up to the amount by which the fair
market value of such Properties exceeded their adjusted basis at the time of
contribution to NPAMLP (gain in excess of such amounts will be allocated ratably
among all Limited Partners). This rule does not apply to tax-deferred
exchanges except to the extent of cash or “other property”
received.
B. Treatment of Distributions
by NPAMLP
Cash distributions made to a Limited
Partner are not, per se, taxable; rather, they represent a return of capital up
to the amount of his adjusted basis in his interest in NPAMLP. A
return of capital generally does not result in any recognition of gain or loss
for federal income tax purposes, but reduces the recipient's adjusted basis in
his investment. Certain partners whose returns were audited and
adjusted (in connection with their investment in NPA sponsored limited
partnerships) may have signed a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue
Service (“IRS”); pursuant to the terms of such closing agreement, their tax
treatment may vary from the foregoing; such partners are urged to consult with
their own tax advisors with respect to this issue.
Distributions, if any, in excess of a
Limited Partner's adjusted basis in his NPAMLP interest immediately prior
thereto will result in the recognition of gain to that extent. Unless
NPAMLP is treated for tax purposes as a “dealer” in real property, such gain
generally should be capital gain.
C. Operating Income (Loss) of
NPAMLP
Each Limited Partner will receive an
annual Schedule K-1 (U.S. Form 1065) to indicate his share of NPAMLP's taxable
income or loss for each tax year. Such income or loss, rather than
the distributions described in Part B above, is reportable by the Limited
Partner. Since any loss generated by NPAMLP is, with respect to
Limited Partners, a passive loss, the deductibility of such loss is governed by
Section 469 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and may be limited
thereby.
Certain Partnerships were audited by
the IRS (the “Audited Partnerships”) and the partners thereof executed an
agreement relating to their past and future federal tax liability (the “Closing
Agreement”). The foregoing paragraph applies to those investors who
have not signed a Closing Agreement with IRS with respect to their Units. As to
those Limited Partners who have signed such a Closing Agreement, the appropriate
tax treatment may differ from the foregoing and is governed by the Closing
Agreement.
V. Other
NPAMLP did not purchase any of its
units that are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange
Act.
Item
6. Selected Financial
Data
Not applicable
Item
7. Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
The following discussion should be read
in conjunction with NPAMLP's combined financial statements and notes thereto
appearing elsewhere in this Report.
I. Liquidity and Capital
Resources
A. General
As previously noted, the Properties
owned by NPAMLP are encumbered by the Wrap Mortgages. As a result of
the Restructuring, the Debt Service on the Wrap Mortgages was adjusted to be the
same as the 1990 debt service required on the Third Party Underlying
Obligations. NPAMLP's ability to meet its obligations on the Wrap
Mortgages is dependent on the Properties generating sufficient cash flow to meet
the Debt Service.
B. Third Party Debt
Service
As of December 31, 2009, the Third
Party Underlying Obligations were current for all the Properties. See
“Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition - II
Critical Accounting Policies.” 16
C. Working
Capital
As of December 31, 2009, NPAMLP has
working capital of approximately $3,156,000 excluding amounts due to the
Managing General Partner and the Pension Groups of $2,382,000 and $3,292,000,
respectively. In 2009, NPAMLP’s operations resulted in a $485,000 reduction
in cash. This reduction was primarily due to a $237,000 settlement with a ground
lessor for participation due in prior years on certain leases. In
addition, additional vacancy at the property in Kalamazoo, Michigan contributed
to the reduction in cash. NPAMLP's property operating budget for 2010,
excluding capital expenditures, audit fees and certain insurance costs, projects
negative cash flow of approximately $391,000. The budgeted negative cash flow is
primarily the result of recent tenant vacancy at two properties, including the
Anchor Tenancy vacancy discussed above in Item I, Anchor Tenants. Management is
endeavoring to lease the vacant space, however the current economic environment
will, in all probability, lengthen the time to do so. Management believes
however that NPAMLP has sufficient working capital to meet its operating
needs.
To date, NPAMLP has replenished its
working capital reserves through the sale of Properties. This has
occurred when holders of the Second Mortgage and Wrap Mortgage have released
their liens on Properties which have been sold, notwithstanding that pursuant to
the terms of the Restructuring Agreement the proceeds were payable to the
holders of the Second Mortgage and the Wrap Mortgage. They have
agreed in certain instances to release their liens and provide proceeds from the
sale to NPAMLP because their mortgages are cross-collateralized against all of
the Properties and because the proceeds from the sale of such Properties have
been utilized for the remaining Properties. Although the Second
Mortgage lenders are not obligated to subordinate or release their mortgages,
their continued cooperation in this regard currently is expected by management,
although there can be no assurance that such Second Mortgage lenders will not
change their behavior in the future. Pursuant to the 2003 Agreement
(See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations - V. Indebtedness Secured by the Properties - D. Future
Interest Agreement”), the holders of the Wrap Mortgages are obligated to release
their mortgages in the event of a sale of Property. As of December 31, 2009, the
Managing General Partner has advanced approximately $2,382,000 to NPAMLP but may
require the repayment of the advances for its own operational
needs.
D. Loan
Obligations
Although all the Third Party Underlying
Obligations on which balloon payments have become due to date have ultimately
been refinanced, there can be no assurance that loan extensions will be
successfully negotiated with the lenders holding the Third Party Underlying
Obligations on these Properties. In the event that NPAMLP is not able to obtain
refinancing commitments from alternative lenders or loan extensions from the
lenders holding the existing Third Party Underlying Obligations, the properties
could be lost to foreclosure. For the year ended December 31, 2010, there are no
balloon payments due on the Third Party Underlying Mortgage Obligations. See
“Item 2. Properties.”
E. Capital
Requirements
The average age of the Properties owned
by NPAMLP is in excess of 20 years. Due to the age of the Properties,
there is a continuing need for capital expenditures in order to properly
maintain the Properties. At December 31, 2009, there were no capital
commitments for repairs to the Properties. During 2009, NPAMLP had an
outstanding line of credit with E&H Properties of Delaware, Inc., an
affiliate of NPA (“EHD”), under which EHD would advance up to $2.5 million to
NPAMLP for purposes of making Capital and Tenant Improvements (the “NPAMLP
Line”). Pursuant to the NPAMLP Line, the obligation of EHD to make advances to
NPAMLP is at all times in the sole and absolute discretion of EHD. At December
31, 2009, availability under the EHD Firstrust Line permitted EHD to borrow up
to $1,394,000 which it can loan to NPAMLP.
Amounts advanced pursuant to the NPAMLP
Line bear interest at the Prime Rate as published in the Wall Street Journal’s
“Money Rates” section (3.25% at December 31, 2009).
In 1999, EHD secured a line of credit
with Firstrust Bank of Conshohocken, PA (“Firstrust Bank”), which will enable
EHD to fund the NPAMLP Line in order to finance Capital and Tenant Improvements
(the “EHD Firstrust Line”). At December 31, 2009 there is $4,298,000
due under the EHD Firstrust Line. Pursuant to the promissory note executed with
respect to the EHD Firstrust Line (the “Firstrust Note”), the amounts advanced
pursuant to the Firstrust Note bear interest at the Prime Rate as published in
the Wall Street Journal’s “Money Rates” section (the “EHD Firstrust Borrowing
Rate”). The EHD Firstrust Borrowing Rate at December 31, 2009 is
3.25%.
The
Firstrust Note is secured by an assignment of certain Wrap Notes and Second
Mortgages and certain Guaranty and Suretyship Agreements executed by EBL&S
Property Management, Inc. and Edward B. Lipkin. Additionally, the
Firstrust Note contains a confession of judgment against EHD and the Guaranty
and Suretyship Agreements contain a confession of judgment against EBL&S
Property Management,
Inc. and Edward B. Lipkin. At December 31, 2009, $194,000 has been advanced and
$126,000 in accrued interest was due under the NPAMLP Line. 17
F. Tenant
Improvements
The current retail rental market is
such that proposed tenants for vacant space and those tenants whose leases are
scheduled for renewal are aware of the pressure landlords are under to obtain
and keep tenants and in certain instances are able to negotiate lease terms at
reduced rental rates. Many of these tenants insist on substantial
tenant improvement contributions from landlords. In the event that
the tenants pay for their own improvements, they may pay a correspondingly lower
rental rate than they would otherwise pay or are allowed rental abatements
during the term of their leases. For the year ending December 31,
2009, there were no rental abatements.
II. Critical Accounting
Policies
NPAMLP uses estimates and assumptions
that can have a significant effect on the amounts that are reported in its
financial statements. Management believes the following are its most
significant accounting policies as they may require a higher degree of judgment
and estimation.
Rental
Properties: Rental properties are stated at original
cost. Depreciation on buildings and building improvements is
calculated on the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of 30
years and 15 to 39 years, respectively. In accordance with FASB authoritative
guidance, rental properties are reviewed by management for impairment whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset
may not be recoverable. Recoverability of rental properties is
measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the properties to future net
cash flows expected to be generated by the properties or to an appraised amount.
The determination of future undiscounted cash flows requires significant
estimates by management, including the expected course of action at the balance
sheet date that would lead to such cash flows. Subsequent changes in estimated
undiscounted cash flows arising from changes in anticipated action to be taken
with respect to the property could impact the determination of whether an
impairment exists and whether the effects could materially impact NPAMLP’s net
income. If any property is considered to be impaired, the impairment
to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the
property exceeds its fair value. Properties to be disposed are
reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs to
sell.
Rental income: Rental
income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective
leases. Unbilled rent receivable represents the amount by which the
straight-line rentals exceed the current rent collectible under the payment
terms of the lease agreements. Percentage rent represents rental
income that the tenant pays based on a percentage of its sales, either as a
percentage of total sales or as a percentage of sales in excess of a threshold
amount. Percentage rent and tenant pass-through charges including common area
maintenance, real estate taxes and property insurance are recognized in income
when earned.
Discount on wraparound
mortgages: The discount on wraparound mortgages represents the
difference between the present value of mortgage payments at the stated interest
rate of 4.1% and the imputed rate of 12%. NPAMLP adjusts the discount
on wraparound mortgages for changes in the projected cash flows. The
resultant increase or decrease in the discount is recorded as interest expense
in the year of the adjustment. The discount is amortized using the interest
method over the terms of the mortgages and is recorded as interest
expense. In accordance with the FASB authoritative guidance, NPAMLP
accounts for the unamortized discount on wraparound mortgages related to
wraparound mortgages that have been extinguished as losses or gains in the
period of extinguishment.
Fair value of Financial
Instruments: The FASB’s authoritative guidance requires disclosure of
the fair value of certain financial instruments. Cash, investment
securities, tenant accounts receivable, accounts payable and other liabilities
as reflected in the combined financial statements of NPAMLP approximate fair
value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. In accordance
with this guidance, NPAMLP has determined the estimated fair value of its
wraparound mortgages based on discounted future cash flows at a current market
rate.
III. Factors That May
Influence Future Results of Operations
A. Real Estate
Valuation
General economic conditions and the
resulting impact on market conditions or a downturn in tenants’ businesses may
adversely affect the value of NPAMLP’s assets. Periods of economic slowdown or
recession in the U.S., a decrease in market rental rates and/or market values of
real estate assets, could have a negative impact on the value of NPAMLP
properties and related tenant improvements. If NPAMLP was required
under Generally Accepted Accounting Pronouncements to write down the carrying
value of any properties to the lower of cost or market due to impairment, or if
as a result of an early lease termination we were required to remove and dispose
of material amounts of tenant improvements that are not reusable to another
tenant, NPAMLP’s results of operations would be negatively
affected. 18
B.
Leasing Activity and Rental
Rates
During
the next twelve months 14 leases representing 8.8% of the net leasable square
footage of all NPAMLP properties, are scheduled to expire. The amount of net
rental income generated by NPAMLP properties depends principally on the ability
to maintain the occupancy rates of currently leased space and to lease currently
available space, and space available from unscheduled lease terminations. The
amount of rental income generated also depends on the ability to maintain or
increase rental rates at the properties. Negative trends in one or more of these
factors could adversely affect rental income in future periods.
In September 2009, the anchor tenant at
the property in Kalamazoo, Michigan elected not to exercise a five year option
to extend its lease, and accordingly the anchor tenant space will become vacant
effective March 1, 2010. Although there is no third party underlying
indebtedness on the property, if NPAMLP is unable to find a new tenant NPAMLP
may be unable to meet its obligations under the ground lease and the property
may be lost due to a termination of the ground lease.
C.
Tenant Credit
Risk
In the event of a tenant default,
NPAMLP may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a landlord and may incur
substantial costs in protecting its investment. NPAMLP management regularly
evaluates its accounts receivable reserve policy in light of its tenant base and
general and local economic conditions. If economic conditions persist or
deteriorate further, NPAMLP may experience increases in past due accounts,
defaults, lower occupancy and reduced effective rents. This condition would
negatively affect NPAMLP’s future net income and cash flows and could have a
material adverse effect on NPAMLP’s financial condition
IV. Results of
Operations
A. Property Dispositions and
Acquisitions During Fiscal 2008
NPAMLP owned 24 properties at December
31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. There were no property dispositions
in 2009. See “Item 1. Business - II. NPAMLP Objectives and Policies - B.
Competition for Tenants - Anchor Tenants.”
In January 2008, NPAMLP sold the
property in Yazoo City, Mississippi. As a result of this transaction, NPAMLP
recognized a net gain on sale in the amount of $1,515,000. The sale generated
$2,072,000 in net proceeds (excluding a 7% promissory note of $300,000 due in
2013. This note was paid off in full in March 2009), of which $2,000,000 were
remitted to NPAEP and applied as a principal reduction on the balance of the
wraparound mortgage. The principal balance of the wraparound mortgage on the
Yazoo City property, in the amount of $1,019,000, remains a liability of NPAMLP.
In March 2008, NPAMLP sold the remaining property in Wheelersburg, Ohio that was
not sold in December 2007. As a result of this transaction, NPAMLP recognized a
net loss on sale of $41,000. The net proceeds from this transaction in the
amount of $27,000 were retained by NPAMLP. The principal balance of the
wraparound mortgage on the Wheelersburg property, in the amount of $1,094,000,
remains a liability of NPAMLP. 19
B. Full Fiscal
Years
Over the two year period ended December
31, 2009, NPAMLP disposed of 2 Properties and did not acquire any
properties. The numbers of Properties acquired and disposed of by
year are as follows:
The disposition of Properties resulted
in “Gain on disposition of properties, net, as reflected in the financial
statements. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations – II. Critical Accounting
Policies”.
The following table reflects the
operating results (in thousands) for NPAMLP for the years ended December 31,
2009 and December 31, 2008, excluding the operating results for the 2 properties
that were disposed of during the two year period. The table is
presented in order to facilitate an understanding of the operating results and
trends of NPAMLP.
The increase in rental income and other
charges in 2009 is primarily due to a increase in recognized revenue as a result
of scheduled rent increases from the Anchor Tenants at the Oak Lawn, Illinois
and San Jose, California properties. This was partially offset by local tenant
vacancies at the Kalamazoo, Michigan property.
The increase in Interest expense is due
to primarily due to a reduction in interest expense in 2008. NPAMLP adjusts the
discount on wraparound mortgages for changes in the projected cash
flows. In 2008, the resultant increase in the discount resulted in a
reduction to interest expense in that year. (see “II. Critical Accounting
Policies”).
V. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
Not
applicable
VI. Indebtedness Secured by the
Properties
The Properties are subject to certain
indebtedness that was incurred in connection with the acquisition of the
Properties by the Partnerships. As of December 31, 2009, the
aggregate indebtedness of NPAMLP pursuant to the Wrap Mortgages was
approximately $157 million, of which approximately $51 million constituted
indebtedness under the Third Party Underlying Obligations and $8 million
constituted indebtedness under the Second Mortgages. As of December
31, 2009, the aggregate historical cost of the Properties securing the
indebtedness of NPAMLP mortgages was approximately $137 million. The
original acquisition of the Properties by the Partnerships was typically
structured as set forth below. 20
Typically, NPA acquired a Property from
an unaffiliated seller. NPA thereafter sold the Property to a Pension
Group. The Partnership acquired the Property from the Pension
Group.In both the original acquisition and the purchase by the Pension Group,
the purchasers (i.e., NPA and the Pension Group) took the Properties subject to
existing mortgages in favor of the sellers or unaffiliated third
parties. Consequently, as a general matter, at the time it was
acquired by the Partnership, each Property was subject to a Third Party
Underlying Obligation and a Second Mortgage.
The Partnerships typically paid the
purchase price for the Properties in part by delivering to the Pension Group a
Wrap Mortgage. The Wrap Mortgage represented a lien on the Property
subordinate to the Third Party Underlying Obligation and the Second
Mortgage. Neither the Third Party Underlying Obligation nor the
Second Mortgage represented direct financial obligations of the
Partnership. Rather, the Wrap Mortgage required the Pension Group to
use the payments made thereunder to make the required payments under the Third
Party Underlying Obligation and the Second Mortgage. The Third Party
Underlying Obligation and the Second Mortgage continued, however, as liens
against the Property. The Wrap Mortgage obligated the Partnership to
comply with all the terms and conditions of the Third Party Underlying
Obligation and the Second Mortgage.
The Properties whose ownership was
combined in NPAMLP remain subject to the Third Party Underlying Obligations,
Second Mortgages and Wrap Mortgages incurred in connection with the acquisition
of the Properties. However, the Wrap Mortgages and Second Mortgages
have been restructured pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement. See “ Section V.
C. The Wrap Mortgages” below
A. Third Party Underlying
Obligations
Information relating to the Third Party
Underlying Obligations is included in Schedule 3, which appears under “Item 2.
Properties” above.
B. The Second Mortgages and
Notes
Under the
terms of the Restructuring Agreement, no payments are currently due on the
Second Mortgages. The outstanding principal balance of the Second
Mortgages as of December 31, 2009, was approximately $8 million. The
Restructuring Agreement provides that this indebtedness will be paid from
proceeds realized from the sale of property subject to the sharing arrangement
established in the Restructuring Agreement.
C. The Wrap
Mortgages
The Wrap Mortgages represent an
obligation of NPAMLP and a lien against the Properties in favor of the
NPAEP. The lien is subordinate to the Third Party Underlying
Obligations and the Second Mortgages, if any.
The Restructuring Agreement amended and
restructured each Wrap Note to provide that each Wrap Note would consist of the
obligation to pay two principal balances, an interest-bearing principal balance
equal to the original principal indebtedness when the Wrap Note was first
executed and delivered by the Partnership less amounts of principal, if any,
paid prior to January 1, 1990, and an non-interest bearing principal balance
equal to the amount of interest accrued and unpaid under the Wrap Note prior to
January 1, 1990. The Restructuring Agreement adjusted the interest
rate on the Wrap Notes in such a way that the interest bearing principal balance
earns interest at a rate elected by the Managing General Partner to assure that
there will be adequate interest paid over the life of the Wrap Note to comply
with applicable Internal Revenue Code requirements in order to prevent the
imputation of interest. At December 31, 2009, the interest rate on the Wrap
Mortgages was 4.1% (see “D. Future Interest Agreement”). The Wrap Notes mature
on December 31, 2013.
Each Wrap Note requires a minimum
annual payment from NPAMLP in an amount equal to the 1990 Debt Service payable
on the Third Party Underlying Obligations secured by the same Properties as the
Wrap Mortgages that secured such Wrap Note prior to the
Restructuring. These minimum payments are applied first to past due
interest and principal payments under the Wrap Notes, if any, then to current
interest and principal payments due on the Wrap Notes, then against the
interest-bearing principal balances of the Wrap Notes, allocated among the Wrap
Notes as NPAEP elects, and finally to the non-interest-bearing principal
balances, allocated among the Wrap Notes as NPAEP elects. The
Restructuring Agreement requires NPAMLP to make additional payments on the Wrap
Notes on April 10th of each year equal to sixty percent (60%) of the amounts by
which Cash Flow from Operations for the previous year exceeded the sum of the
minimum annual payment in such year plus the current payments due in such year
on any indebtedness incurred after January 1, 1990 for Capital Improvements to
any of the Properties. The holder of the Wrap Notes applies the
minimum annual payments to pay the current payments due on the Third Party
Underlying Obligations. 21
The Restructuring Agreement provides
that all the Wrap Notes that were originally secured by Wrap Mortgages on the
Properties that NPAMLP acquired from partnerships audited by the Internal
Revenue Service will be secured by all of those Wrap Mortgages and will not be
secured by Wrap Mortgages on the Properties that NPAMLP acquired from the
Unaudited Partnerships. All of the Wrap Notes that were originally
secured by Wrap Mortgages on the Properties that NPAMLP acquired from Unaudited
Partnerships are secured by all of those Wrap Mortgages and are not secured by
Wrap Mortgages on the Properties that NPAMLP acquired from partnerships audited
by the Internal Revenue Service. The holder of the Wrap Mortgages
agreed in the Restructuring Agreement to release from the lien of the Wrap
Mortgages any Property sold by NPAMLP, upon payment to the holder of the Wrap
Mortgages, as a pre-payment of the Wrap Notes, an amount equal to all of the
Proceeds of Sales of the Properties not permitted by the Restructuring Agreement
to be retained by NPAMLP.
The Restructuring Agreement permits
NPAMLP to have the opportunity to retain, in certain circumstances, a portion of
the Excess Proceeds. In accordance with the Restructuring Agreement
the Excess Proceeds derived from the Proceeds of Sales of the Properties are
applied as follows: (a) 100% of the Excess Proceeds are applied in
payment of the Wrap Mortgages until the Threshold Amount has been paid; (b) the
next $70 million of Excess Proceeds are allocated 60% to the payment of the Wrap
Mortgage and 40% are retained by NPAMLP; (c) 100% of the next Excess Proceeds up
to an amount equal to the Investor Note Recovery or $25 million, whichever is
less, are retained by NPAMLP and distributed by NPAMLP to the Investor Note
Payors; (d) the next Excess Proceeds are allocated by 60% to the payment of the
Wrap Mortgages and 40% are retained by NPAMLP up to an amount equal to the
outstanding balances for the Wrap Mortgages on January 1, 1990 less the sum
of: (i) the aggregate amount of the sums previously paid as Minimum
Payoff Amounts; (ii) the Investor Note Recovery, and (iii) $70 million; (e) 100%
of the next Excess Proceeds are applied in payment of the Wrap Mortgages in the
amount equal to (i) the amount necessary to pay in full the Wrap Mortgages on
Properties acquired from partnerships audited by the Internal Revenue Service,
in the case of Excess Proceeds generated by the sale of such a Property, and
(ii) the amount necessary to pay in full the Wrap Mortgages on Properties
acquired from Unaudited Partnerships, in the case of Excess Proceeds generated
by the sale of such a Property; and (f) 100% of any additional Excess Proceeds
are retained by NPAMLP.
The Restructuring Agreement provides
for indebtedness which may be incurred to finance Capital Improvements to the
Properties after January 1, 1990, and requires that in connection with any sale
of Property by NPAMLP, the loans for Capital Improvements to such Property must
either be paid in full or assumed by the purchaser of the Property before the
Wrap Mortgage on such Property will be released.
The Restructuring Agreement permits the
holders of the Wrap Mortgages to refinance or negotiate modifications to the
Third Party Underlying Obligations, so long as the aggregate amount of all Third
Party Underlying Obligations is not increased. The fees and expenses
associated with any such refinancing or modification are required to be borne by
the holders of the Wrap Mortgages.
The Restructuring Agreement spreads the
lien securing each of the Second Mortgages to all of the Properties owned by
NPAMLP and all of the Second
Mortgages have been “wrapped” or included within all of the Wrap
Mortgages.
D. Future Interest
Agreement
In March 2003 NPAMLP, NPAEP and PVPG,
entered into an Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2003 (the “2003
Agreement”), in which NPAEP and PVPG agreed with NPAMLP to modify the terms of
Wrap Mortgages held by NPAEP and PVPG. The terms of the 2003 Agreement provided
that NPAEP and PVPG: (a) reduce to 4.1% per year the annual interest rate
payable on any NPAEP Wrap Note or PVPG Wrap Note that bears a stated annual
interest rate in excess of that amount; (b) remove certain of the properties
secured by the NPAEP and PVPG Wrap Mortgages from the burden of the
cross-default and cross-collateralization provisions currently contemplated by
the Restructuring Agreement effective as of January 1, 1990 by and among MLPG,
NPAMLP, National Property Analysts, Inc. and others; and (c) agree
to release the lien of the Wrap Mortgages from the Properties upon a sale of or
the agreement of a leasehold estate in any Property prior to the maturity of the
applicable Wrap Note. In consideration for the above, NPAMLP will
modify the NPAEP Wrap Mortgages and the PVPG Wrap Mortgages to provide that (i)
there is an event of default under the applicable NPAEP Wrap Mortgages or PVPG
Wrap Mortgages, as the case may be, if a judgment or other lien is entered
against the title or lease-holding entity thereby entitling NPAEP or PVPG, as
the case may be, to avail itself of the post-default rights or remedies under
the relevant security document; and (ii) for cross-default and
cross-collateralization among the Unaudited Partnerships and, separately, among
the Audited Partnerships. In addition NPAMLP shall execute and
deliver to NPAEP or PVPG, as the case may be, a currently recordable deed of
future interest (or assignment of future leasehold interest) sufficient to
convey to NPAEP or PVPG, as the case may be, all of NPAMLP’s right, title,
interest and estate in and to its fee or leasehold interest in the encumbered
properties effective upon the maturity on December 31, 2013 of the NPAEP Wrap
Mortgages and the PVPG Wrap Mortgages unless the Wrap Mortgages have previously
been paid in full. 22
The Managing General Partner believes
that the execution and delivery of the 2003 Agreement will have the following
effects for NPAMLP: as a result of the reduction in the annual interest rate on
the NPAEP Wrap Notes and the PVPG Wrap Notes (i) NPAMLP expects to realize
significant reductions in interest that it otherwise would have been obligated
to pay during the period between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2013 when
these loans mature and (ii) NPAMLP will be able to allocate a greater portion of
its available cash flow to principal repayments. As a result of the
faster repayment of principal, the Limited Partners will recognize additional
taxable income (or smaller tax losses) in each year from 2003 until the maturity
of the NPAEP Wrap Mortgages and the PVPG Wrap Mortgages. In addition,
the anticipated date of dissolution of NPAMLP will now occur in 2013 rather than
2015. Further, because the reduced interest rate is below the
Applicable Federal Rate (“AFR”) prescribed under Section 1274 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, investors in Unaudited Partnerships recognized
non-recurring ordinary income (forgiveness of indebtedness) 2003. The
tax impact of this recognition depended upon numerous factors related to each
investor’s particular tax situation, including his marginal tax rate and his
suspended passive losses from prior years.
Under the terms of the Restructuring
Agreement, all Wrap Mortgages owned by NPAEP or PVPG are due and payable in
substantial “balloon” amounts on December 31, 2013. Assuming no sales
of Properties by NPAMLP in the interim period (2010 through 2013) the projected
balance due for all of the Wrap Mortgages at December 31, 2013 is expected to
approximate $109,000,000. As described above, in return for the
reduction in interest rate and other consideration set forth above, including
the satisfaction of the Wrap Mortgages due on December 31, 2013, NPAMLP’s
general partner has agreed to deliver deeds of future interest and assignments
of leasehold interest, to be recorded currently, effective December 31, 2013, to
NPAEP and PVPG. NPAMLP’s general partner has determined that it is in
the best interests of NPAMLP and its partners to do so. The effect of
these deeds and assignments will be to facilitate a transfer of fee and
leasehold ownership to the holders of the Wrap Mortgages at maturity (unless the
Wrap Mortgages have been previously paid in full). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, NPAEP and PVPG have agreed in the 2003 Agreement to (a) release
the liens of the Wrap Mortgages and (b) deliver such deeds of future interest,
assignments of leasehold interests, or other documents or instruments as are
necessary to facilitate or effect such sales of the Properties prior to December
31, 2013 as the Managing General Partner shall otherwise deem
desirable. The costs incurred arising from the recordation of any of
the documents described in the 2003 Agreement shall be borne by NPAEP or PVPG,
as the case may be. The Managing General Partner believes that the
result of the forgoing actions taken pursuant to the 2003 Agreement will
preserve all rights of the Limited Partners under the Restructuring
Agreement, including their right to share in certain sales proceeds or cash
flows prior to maturity of the Wrap Mortgages.
Item 7(a). Quantitative and
Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data
The combined financial statements,
including the notes thereto and the report of the independent registered public
accounting firm, are included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Form
10-K.
Item
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A (T):
Controls and Procedures
Management's
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. It is the
responsibility of the General Partner to establish and maintain adequate
internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules
13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The
Managing General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting is a
process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements
for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial
reporting includes policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the
maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect
the transactions and dispositions of the assets of NPAMLP; (ii) provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of NPAMLP are being
made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the
Managing General Partner; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition,
use or disposition of NPAMLP’s assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements. 23
Because
of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not
prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management
assessed the effectiveness of the NPAMLP’s internal control over financial
reporting at December 31, 2009. Management based this assessment on criteria for
effective internal control over financial reporting described in “Internal
Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management’s assessment included an
evaluation of the design of the NPAMLP’s internal control over financial
reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of its internal control
over financial reporting. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with
the Managing General Partner.
Based on our assessment, management
determined that, at December 31, 2009, NPAMLP maintained effective internal
control over financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. There has been no change in internal controls over
financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2009
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect,
NPAMLP's internal control over financial reporting.
This
annual report does not include an attestation report of NPAMLP's registered
public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.
Management's report was not subject to attestation by NPAMLP’s registered public
accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission that permit NPAMLP to provide only management's report in this annual
report.
Item 9(B). Other
Information
None
24
PART
III
Item
10. Directors and Executive
Officers and Corporate Governance
I. Summary
EBL&S, Inc., a Delaware corporation
incorporated in December 1989, and an affiliate of NPA, is the Managing General
Partner of NPAMLP. Feldman International, Inc., a Delaware
corporation incorporated in September 1998 is the Equity General Partner of
NPAMLP. The Managing General Partner is owned 100% by E&H
Properties, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation incorporated in July 1979, which is
owned 100% by Edward B. Lipkin. The Equity General Partner is owned
100% by Robert McKinney.
The directors and executive officers of
the General Partners are as follows:
Edward B. Lipkin, age 64, serves as
Director of the Managing General Partner. Mr. Lipkin has also been
President of NPA since it was organized in 1976. Mr. Lipkin received
a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Temple University. Mr.
Lipkin was a Trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers, a leading
industry organization, from 1986 to 1992.
Robert McKinney, age 54, serves as
Director of the Equity General Partner. Since 2003, Mr. McKinney has
been an employee of NPAEP, serving as tax manager. Previously, Mr. McKinney had
been employed by NPA since 1987 in the same capacity. Mr. McKinney, a certified
public accountant, received a Masters of Science in Taxation and Masters of
Business Administration in Finance from Villanova University and Temple
University, respectively. Mr. McKinney received a Bachelor of Science
degree in Accounting from Villanova University.
Howard M. Levy, age 51, serves as Vice
President of the Managing General Partner. Mr. Levy has been employed
by NPA since 1983 and is currently Vice President of Leasing. Mr.
Levy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of
Scranton and is a Certified Public Accountant.
David A. Simon, age 52, serves as Vice
President of the Managing General Partner. Mr. Simon has been
employed by NPA since 1987 and is currently Chief Financial
Officer. Mr. Simon received a Bachelor of Science degree in
Accounting & Finance from Lehigh University and is a Certified Public
Accountant.
II. Code of
Ethics
In view of the fiduciary obligation
that the Managing General Partner has to NPAMLP, the Managing General Partner
believes an adoption of a formal code of ethics is unnecessary and would not
benefit NPAMLP, particularly, in light of NPAMLP’s limited business
activities.
III. Audit Committee Financial
Expert
The Managing General Partner does not
have an audit committee financial expert, as defined under Section 228.401,
serving on its audit committee because it has no audit committee, and is not
required to have an audit committee because it is not a listed security as
defined in Section 240.10A-3.
Item
11. Executive
Compensation
I.
General
Neither the General Partners nor the
officers of the General Partners receive compensation from
NPAMLP. Certain administrative services related to tax and accounting
service, legal matters and to investor administration were performed by the
Managing General Partner on behalf of NPAMLP as provided in the Partnership
Agreement. The amount payable to the Managing General Partner for
such services aggregated $191,000 and $177,000 for the years ended December 31,
2009 and 2008, respectively. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions - I. Compensation and Fees and II. Property Management by
Affiliate.”
II. Payments Discussion and
Analysis
NPAMLP has no compensation plan
as it pays no executive compensation and therefore the compensation discussion
and analysis is unnecessary. 25
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