Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SCHEDULE 14AINFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by the Registrant โ
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Filed by a party other than the Registrant โโโ
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Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material under ยง240.14a-12
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
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No fee required
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11
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2025
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
AND PROXY STATEMENT
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Dear Shareholder:
As permitted by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), we have provided access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we are sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or E-proxy notice, to our shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 10, 2025 . The E-proxy notice contains instructions regarding, among others, how to access our proxy statement and annual report and how to authorize your proxy to vote online. In addition, the E-proxy notice contains instructions on how you may receive a paper copy of the proxy statement and annual report or elect to receive your proxy statement and annual report over the Internet.
If you are unable to attend the Annual Meeting, it is very important that your shares be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. You may authorize your proxy to vote your shares over the Internet as described in the E-proxy notice. Alternatively, if you received a paper copy of the proxy card by mail, please complete, date, sign and promptly retuthe proxy card in the self-addressed stamped envelope provided. You may also authorize your proxy to vote your shares by telephone as described in your proxy card. If you authorize your proxy to vote your shares over the Internet, retuyour proxy card by mail or vote by telephone prior to the Annual Meeting, you may nevertheless revoke your proxy and cast your vote personally at the Annual Meeting.
We appreciate your participation in our Annual Meeting.
Sincerely,
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
12 East 49th Street, 44th Floor
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 7, 2025
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To Our Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of Urban Edge Properties , a Maryland real estate investment trust ("we", "Urban Edge" or the "Company"), to be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 , at 9:00 a.m. EasteTime. The Annual Meeting will be held entirely online. You can attend and participate in the Annual Meeting online by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UE2025, where you will be able to listen to the Annual Meeting live, submit questions and vote. To join the Annual Meeting, you will need to have your 16-digit control number, which is included in the Notice (as defined below) and the proxy card sent to you or, if you are a beneficial owner who did not receive such number, may be obtained upon request to the broker, bank, or other nominee that holds your shares. Please see the "Questions and Answers" section of our definitive proxy statement in connection with the Annual Meeting, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2025 (the "Proxy Statement"), for more details regarding the logistics of the virtual Annual Meeting, including the ability of shareholders to submit questions, and technical details and support related to accessing the virtual platform for the Annual Meeting.
The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:
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To elect the eight trustees named in the Proxy Statement, each to serve until our annual meeting of shareholders held in 2026 and until their successors are duly elected and qualify;
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To consider and vote on a proposal to ratify the appointment of
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To consider and vote, on a non-binding advisory basis, on a resolution to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as described in the Proxy Statement;
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting, including any postponements or adjournments thereof.
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We are furnishing proxy materials to you electronically, via the Internet, instead of mailing printed copies of those materials to each shareholder. We believe that this process expedites receipt of our proxy materials by shareholders, while lowering the costs and reducing the environmental impact of our Annual Meeting. We have provided a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") to our shareholders of record on March 10, 2025 . The Notice contains instructions on how to access our Proxy Statement and annual report over the Internet and how to vote online. The Notice also includes instructions on how you can request and receive a paper copy of the Proxy Statement and annual report for the Annual Meeting and future meetings of shareholders.
By Order of the Board of Trustees ,
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ii
PROXY STATEMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS โ
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Why did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials?
As permitted by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), we are making this Proxy Statement and our annual report available to our shareholders electronically via the Internet in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Trustees (the "Board") for use at our Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held online on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 , at 9:00 a.m. EasteTime. We provided a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") to our shareholders of record on March 10, 2025 . If you received the Notice electronically, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail. If you would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions for requesting printed materials contained in the Notice. Our shareholders are invited to attend the Annual Meeting online and are requested to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and accompanying materials will be first sent and made available to shareholders is March 28, 2025 .
How do I attend the virtual Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting will be held entirely online. Shareholders of record as of March 10, 2025 , will be able to attend and participate online by accessing www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UE2025 using the log in instructions below. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting online, we recommend that you also vote by proxy as described herein so that your vote will be counted if you decide not to attend the Annual Meeting.
Access to the Audio Webcast of the Annual Meeting. The live audio webcast of the Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. EasteTime. Online access to the audio webcast will open approximately thirty minutes prior to the start of the Annual Meeting to allow time for you to log in and test the computer audio system. We encourage our shareholders to access the Annual Meeting prior to the start time.
Log in Instructions. To attend the Annual Meeting, log in at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UE2025. Shareholders will need their unique 16-digit control number, which appears on the Notice and the proxy card sent to them. In the event that you do not have a control number, please contact your broker, bank, or other nominee as soon as possible and no later than May 6, 2025 , so that you can be provided with a control number and gain access to the Annual Meeting. If, for any reason, you are unable to locate your control number, you will still be able to join the virtual Annual Meeting as a guest by accessing www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UE2025 and following the guest log-in instructions; you will not, however, be able to vote or ask questions.
Submitting Questions at the virtual Annual Meeting. As part of the Annual Meeting, we will hold a live question and answer session, during which we intend to answer questions submitted during the Annual Meeting that are pertinent to the Company and the meeting matters, as time permits. Questions and answers will be grouped by topic and substantially similar questions will be grouped and answered once.
Technical Assistance. Beginning 30 minutes prior to the start of and during the Annual Meeting, we will have support team ready to assist shareholders with any technical difficulties they may have accessing or hearing the Annual Meeting. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual Annual Meeting during the check-in or meeting time, call our support team which will be posted on www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UE2025.
Availability of live webcast to team members and other constituents. The live audio webcast will be available to not only our shareholders but also to other constituents. Such constituents will be able to attend the online platform for the Annual Meeting by accessing www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UE2025 and following the guest log-in instructions; they will not, however, be able to vote or ask questions.
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What items will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
Shareholders will vote on the following items at the Annual Meeting:
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Proposal 1: the election of the eight trustees named in this Proxy Statement, each to serve until our annual meeting of shareholders held in 2026 and until their successors are duly elected and qualify;
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Proposal 2: the ratification of the appointment of
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Proposal 3: the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement.
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In addition, shareholders will vote on such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting, including any adjournments or postponements thereof.
What is the Board's voting recommendation for each item to be considered at the Annual Meeting?
The Board recommends that you vote your shares as follows:
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Proposal 1: "FOR" the election of the eight trustee nominees named in this Proxy Statement;
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Proposal 2: "FOR" the ratification of the appointment of
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Proposal 3: "FOR" the approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement.
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What vote is required to approve the proposals?
Once a quorum is present, the following vote is required to approve each proposal:
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Proposal 1: Each trustee nominee shall be elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to that trustee nominee's election.
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Proposals 2 and 3: The ratification of the appointment of
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Other Items: The Board does not currently know of any other matters that may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting.
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What is the quorum for the Annual Meeting?
The presence online or by proxy of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum to transact business at the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on the record date, March 10, 2025 , there were 125,748,200 common shares, including restricted common shares, of beneficial interest (the "Common Shares") issued and outstanding. Your shares will be counted for purposes of determining if there is a quorum, whether representing votes for, against or abstained, if you:
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Are present in person online at the Annual Meeting; or
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Have authorized a proxy on the Internet, by telephone or by properly submitting a proxy card or vote instruction form by mail.
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If a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting, the chairman of the meeting may adjouthe Annual Meeting sine dieor from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date of March 10, 2025 without notice other than announcement at the Annual Meeting.
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Who is entitled to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting?
All shareholders of record as of the close of business on the record date for the Annual Meeting are entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at the Annual Meeting. You may authorize a proxy to vote your shares without attending the Annual Meeting. You are entitled to cast one vote for each Common Share you held of record as of the record date.
Voting at the Annual Meeting is limited to shareholders of record and beneficial owners of our Common Shares (see the following question for the relevant distinction). Beneficial owners are invited to attend the Annual Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UE2025 and may use their 16-digit control number to vote their shares. Non-shareholder constituents will be able to attend the online platform for the Annual Meeting by accessing www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UE2025 and following the guest log-in instructions; they will not, however, be able to vote or ask questions.
What is the difference between a shareholder of record and a beneficial owner?
Shareholder of Record. If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Equiniti Trust Co LLC , you are considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares. In such case, the Notice, and if requested, the proxy materials, were sent directly to you by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. acting on behalf of the Company.
Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name. If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in "street name." In such case, the Notice, and if requested, the proxy materials, will be forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered the shareholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to instruct that organization on how to vote the shares held in your account. Those instructions are contained in a "vote instruction form" provided to you by the organization that holds your shares. As a beneficial owner, you are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UE2025 and you may use your 16-digit control number to vote your shares.
If I am a shareholder of record, how do I vote?
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to authorize your proxy to vote your shares. As described in the Notice, there are four ways to vote:
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Via the Internet. You may authorize a proxy to vote your shares via the Internet by visiting www.proxyvote.com and entering the control number found on the Notice and the proxy card;
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By Telephone. If you received your proxy materials by mail, you may authorize a proxy to vote your shares by calling the toll free number found on the proxy card;
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By Mail. If you received your proxy materials by mail, you may authorize a proxy to vote your shares by filling out the proxy card and sending it back in the envelope provided; or
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Online. You may vote online by attending the Annual Meeting online and following the instructions posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UE2025.
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Telephone and Internet authorization methods for shareholders of record will be available until 11:59 p.m. (EasteTime) on May 6, 2025 . If you authorize a proxy by mail to vote your shares, you must ensure proper completion and receipt of the proxy no later than May 6, 2025 .
If I am a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, how do I vote?
If you own shares held by a broker, bank or other nominee organization you may instruct your broker to vote your shares in the manner that you direct by following the instructions that the broker provides to you. As a beneficial owner, you are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/UE2025 and you may use your 16-digit control number to vote your shares. If your Common Shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee organization, and you want to vote in person, you will need to obtain a legal proxy from the institution that holds your Common Shares.
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Can I change or revoke my proxy?
Yes. If you are a shareholder of record, you may revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise by filing with our Secretary a duly executed revocation of proxy, by properly submitting, either by Internet, mail or telephone, a proxy bearing a later date or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting online. Attendance online at the Annual Meeting will not by itself constitute revocation of a proxy. If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you must contact the organization that holds your shares to receive instructions as to how you may revoke your voting instructions.
How are proxies voted?
Proxies properly submitted via the Internet, mail or telephone will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with your directions. If your properly-submitted proxy does not provide voting instructions on a proposal, then the proxy holders will vote your shares (i) in the manner recommended by the Board on all matters presented in this Proxy Statement and (ii) as the proxy holders may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. Mark J. Langer , Robert C. Milton III and Andrea R. Drazin have been designated as proxy holders for the Annual Meeting.
How are abstentions and broker non-votes treated?
If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a bank, broker, or other similar nominee organization in street name, you must instruct the broker how to vote your shares. A "broker non-vote" occurs at a meeting at which there is at least one "routine" proposal on which brokers are permitted to vote, and a bank, broker or other nominee organization holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because it is a non-routine proposal and the holder does not have discretionary voting power for that particular item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), the only routine item to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting with respect to which a broker or nominee will be permitted to exercise voting discretion is the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 . Therefore, if you hold your Common Shares in street name and you do not give the broker or nominee specific voting instructions on the election of the trustees or the advisory resolution to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, your shares will not be voted on those items, and a broker non-vote will occur.
You may choose to abstain or refrain from voting your shares on one or more issues presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast and therefore will not affect the outcome of the vote on any of the proposals.
Who has paid for this proxy solicitation?
We have paid the entire expense of preparing, printing and mailing the Notice and, to the extent requested by our shareholders, the proxy materials and any additional materials furnished to shareholders. We have requested banks, brokers or other nominees and fiduciaries to forward the proxy materials to beneficial owners of our Common Shares and to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies. We will reimburse such parties for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners upon request.
Proxies may be solicited by our trustees, officers or employees personally or by telephone without additional compensation for such activities. No arrangements or contracts have been made with any solicitors as of the date of this Proxy Statement, although we reserve the right to engage solicitors if we deem them necessary. Such solicitations may be made by mail, telephone, facsimile, e-mail or personal interviews.
Where can I find additional information?
Please refer to our website, which is located at www.uedge.com. Although the information contained on or available through our website is not part of this Proxy Statement, you can view additional information on the website, such as our corporate governance materials and SEC filings. Copies of these documents may be obtained free of charge by writing to Urban Edge Properties , 12 East 49th Street, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10017, Attention: Robert C. Milton III, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.
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Current Board of Trustees
Our Board currently consists of eight trustees (together the "Trustees", and each a "Trustee"). Each Trustee is elected annually for a term of one year and holds office until the next annual meeting and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies. Under our Bylaws, at a shareholder meeting to elect Trustees, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to a nominee's election is sufficient to elect a Trustee (as long as a quorum is present), unless the election is contested, in which case a plurality of all votes cast will be sufficient.
The following table sets forth the name, age, starting year and position for each of our current Trustees as of the date of this Proxy Statement, including the eight Trustee nominees for election at the Annual Meeting:
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Trustee Since
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Position
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2014
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Trustee (Chairman) and Chief Executive Officer
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2022
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Independent Trustee
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2015
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Independent Trustee
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2021
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Lead Independent Trustee
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2014
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Independent Trustee
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2023
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Independent Trustee
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2022
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Independent Trustee
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2020
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Independent Trustee
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5
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
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In evaluating the suitability of Trustee nominees, our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee takes into account factors such as general understanding of various business disciplines (e.g., marketing or finance), understanding of the Company's business environment, educational and professional background, judgment, integrity, diversity, ability to make independent analytical inquiries and willingness to devote adequate time to Board duties. The Board evaluates each individual in the context of the Board as a whole with the objective of retaining a group with varied and relevant experience that can best perpetuate the Company's success and represent shareholder interests through sound judgment.
Nominees for Election to Term Expiring 2026
Below is an overview of some key attributes of our eight nominees to the Board. Further information on each nominee's qualifications and relevant experience is provided in the individual biographies included in this Proxy Statement.
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The biographical descriptions below set forth certain information with respect to each nominee for election as a Trustee at the Annual Meeting. The Board has identified specific attributes of each nominee that the Board has determined qualify that person for service on the Board.
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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โTrustee Since: 2014 โAge: 57
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Trustee
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โTrustee Since: 2022
โAge: 67
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7
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โTrustee Since: 2015
โAge: 67
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Trusteeโ
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โTrustee Since: 2021
โAge: 62
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8
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Trusteeโ
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โTrustee Since: 2014
โAge: 59
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โTrustee Since: 2023
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โTrustee Since: 2022
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โTrustee Since: 2020
โAge: 63
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THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR"
EACH OF THE NOMINEES.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS
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Board Leadership Structure
Our Board is focused on effective corporate governance practices. Our current leadership structure is comprised of a combined Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, a Lead Trustee and Board committees comprised solely of independent Trustees. The Board believes its current structure provides an effective balance between strong Company leadership and appropriate safeguards and oversight by independent Trustees. We value independent board oversight as an essential component of strong corporate performance to enhance shareholder value. All of our Trustees are independent, except Jeffrey S. Olson , our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Olson uses the in-depth focus and perspective gained through his leadership at the Company and at other real estate companies, and as an analyst covering many U.S. REITs to effectively and efficiently guide our Board. He fulfills his responsibilities through close interaction with our Lead Trustee who is elected annually to serve in that capacity by the independent Trustees of our Board.
The Board concluded that Mr. Olson , as a well-seasoned leader with a track record of running and analyzing real estate companies over a long period of time, is the best person to lead the Board. The Board also determined that there is actual and effective independent oversight of management as a result of, among other factors, (i) the appointment of a Lead Trustee, who provides significant independent oversight of the Board, and (ii) all members of the Board, other than Mr. Olson , being independent.
Trustee Independence
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the NYSE listing standards require that at least a majority of our Trustees, and all of the members of the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees, be "independent". NYSE listing standards provide that, to qualify as "independent", a Trustee, in addition to satisfying certain bright-line criteria, must be affirmatively determined by the Board not to have any material relationship with the Company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company).
In addition, our Board has adopted categorical standards to assist it in making determinations of independence. These categorical standards specify certain relationships that our Board has determined not to be material relationships that would categorically impair a Trustee's ability to qualify as independent, including, among others, (i) a Trustee's or his or her immediate family member's status as an employee of an organization that has made payments to the Company, or that has received payments from the Company, not in excess of certain specified amounts; (ii) beneficial ownership by a Trustee or his or her immediate family member of not more than 10% of the Company's equity securities or where a Trustee or his or her immediate family member holds certain positions with an organization that beneficially owns not more than 10% of the Company's equity securities; (iii) relationships with organizations with which the Company conducts business, in each case, which owe money to the Company or to which the Company owes money not in excess of certain specified amounts; (iv) personal relationships between a Trustee (or a member of the Trustee's immediate family) with a member of the Company's management; and (v) any other relationship or transaction that is not covered by any of the categorical standards that does not involve the payment of more than $100,000 in the most recently completed fiscal year of the Company. The Board of Trustees' categorical standards are set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines on the Company's website located at www.uedge.com. The information contained on or available through our website is not part of this Proxy Statement.
In accordance with these categorical standards and the NYSE listing standards, the Board affirmatively determined that each of our Trustees, other than Mr. Olson , satisfies the bright-line independence criteria of the NYSE and that none has a relationship with us that would interfere with such person's ability to exercise independent judgment as a member of the Board.
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Lead Trustee
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that a Lead Trustee must be elected by a majority of the independent Trustees annually (typically, in May of each year). Norman K. Jenkins was elected by our independent Trustees to serve as our Lead Trustee effective September 1, 2022 . The responsibilities and goals of our Lead Trustee are described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines and include the following:
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Serving as a resource to the Chairman/CEO and to the other independent Trustees, coordinating the activities of the independent Trustees;
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Chairing all Board meetings at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions and meetings of the independent Trustees;
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Consulting with the Chairman to suggest the schedule of Board meetings and annual or special meetings of shareholders;
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Providing input to the Chairman to determine agendas for Board meetings;
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Serving as a liaison between the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer and the independent Trustees;
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Helping to develop a high-performing Board, by assisting Trustees in reaching consensus, keeping the Board focused on strategic decisions, managing information flow between the Trustees and management and coordinating activities across various committees; and
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Supporting effective shareholder communication by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer and the Board.
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Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our Board has adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines to assist it in guiding our governance practices. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are re-evaluated at least annually by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee in light of changing circumstances in order to continue serving the best interests of the Company. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available at www.uedge.com under "Our Company - About Us - Governance - Corporate Governance Guidelines", or by requesting a copy in print, without charge, by contacting our Secretary at 12 East 49th Street, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10017. The information contained on or available through our website is not part of this Proxy Statement.
Our Trustees stay informed about our business by attending meetings of the Board and its committees and through supplemental reports and communications.
Board Committees
Our Board has established standing committees to assist it in the discharge of its responsibilities. The principal responsibilities of each committee are described below. Actions taken by any committee of our Board are reported to the Board, usually at the meeting following such action. Each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is composed of Trustees who are "independent" as defined under SEC rules and regulations and listing standards of the NYSE. Our Board may from time to time establish other committees to facilitate the management of our company. Copies of the charters of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are available at www.uedge.com under "Our Company - About Us - Governance." The information contained on or available through our website is not part of this Proxy Statement.
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The table below sets forth a summary of our committee structure and membership information.
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Audit Committee Financial Expert
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Audit Committee
The Audit Committee's main responsibilities are (i) to assist the Board in its oversight of (a) the integrity of our financial statements, (b) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (c) the independent registered public accounting firm's qualifications and independence, and (d) the performance of the independent registered public accounting firm and the company's internal audit function; and (ii) to prepare an Audit Committee report as required by the SEC for inclusion in our annual proxy statement. The function of the Audit Committee is oversight. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of our financial statements and for the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Management is also responsible for maintaining appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles and policies and internal controls and procedures that provide for compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for planning and carrying out a proper audit of our annual financial statements, reviewing our quarterly financial statements and annually auditing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and other procedures. Additional information regarding the Audit Committee's duties and responsibilities is available at www.uedge.com under "Our Company - About Us - Governance - Audit Committee Charter." The information contained on or available through our website is not part of this Proxy Statement.
Each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate, knowledgeable and qualified to review financial statements, and is "independent" as defined under SEC rules and regulations and listing standards of the NYSE. The Board determined that each of Mr. O'Shea and Mses. Sandstrom and Rice qualify as an "Audit Committee Financial Expert," as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K. The report of the Audit Committee may be found on page 30 of this Proxy Statement.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing and approving the terms of the compensation of our executive officers and the granting and administration of awards under the Company's incentive plan. Compensation decisions for our executive officers are reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee. Decisions regarding compensation of other employees are made by our Chief Executive Officer with equity awards to employees subject to the review and approval of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has authority under its charter to select, retain and approve fees for, and to terminate the engagement of, independent compensation consultants, outside legal counsel or other advisors as it deems appropriate without seeking approval of the Board or management. Additional information regarding the Compensation Committee's duties and responsibilities is available at www.uedge.com under "Our Company - About Us - Governance - Compensation Committee Charter." The information contained on or available through our website is not part of this Proxy Statement.
Each member of the Compensation Committee is "independent" as defined under SEC rules and regulations and listing standards of the NYSE. The report of the Compensation Committee may be found on page 60 of this Proxy Statement.
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Each member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is "independent" as defined under SEC rules and regulations and listing standards of the NYSE.
Role of the Board and its Committees in Risk Oversight
One of the key functions of the Board is informed oversight of our risk management process. The Board administers this oversight function directly, with support from the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee , each of which addresses risks specific to their respective areas of oversight. In addition to receiving information from its committees, the Board receives updates directly from members of management. In particular, Mr. Olson , due to his management position, is able to frequently communicate with other members of our management team and update the Board on the important aspects of our day-to-day operations. The full Board also oversees strategic and operational risks.
Financial and Accounting
The Board and the Audit Committee monitor the Company's financial and regulatory risk through regular reviews with management and internal and external auditors and other advisors. In its periodic meetings with the internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee discusses the scope and plan for the internal audit and the audit conducted by the independent registered accounting firm, and includes management in its review of accounting and financial controls and assessment of business risks.
Governance and Succession
The Board and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee monitor the Company's corporate governance policies and procedures by regular review with management and outside advisors. The Board and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee monitor CEO and management succession, and the Compensation Committee monitors the Company's compensation policies as applied to executive officers and related risks by regular reviews with management and the Committee's outside advisors.
Cybersecurity - Governance, Risk Management and Strategy
Cybersecurity is an integral part of the Board of Trustees' , Audit Committee's and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee's risk analysis and discussions with management. The Board of Trustees has assigned cybersecurity oversight responsibility to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee as outlined in the Committee's Charter (which is available at www.uedge.com under "Our Company - About Us - Governance"). As we see increased reliance on information technology in the workplace and our business operations Urban Edge has employed several measures to mitigate cyber risks.
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We also have a Cyber Steering Committee which works in conjunction with the Computer Incident Response Team ("CIRT") to develop strategies to mitigate risks and to address any cyber issues that may arise. The Cyber Steering Committee and CIRT are made up of certain executives, management, members of our information technology team and third-party advisors.
Our policies outline processes for identifying, reporting, investigating, and responding to a cyber incident. In the event of such an incident, the CIRT will work with the Cyber Steering Committee to conduct a risk analysis. The committee may also engage other members of management to assess the tangible, intangible and financial impact of the incident. Any breach or cyber incident that meets certain criteria will be communicated by the Cyber Steering Committee to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee in a timely manner.
Management researches the latest technologies and trends used by cybercriminals through publications, conferences and discussions with peers. Cyber threats identified are communicated throughout the Company to promote awareness and assist with mitigating potential risks. Employees are required to undergo regular security awareness trainings. The Company routinely conducts internal phishing and other exercises to gauge the effectiveness of the trainings and assess the need for continued education and/or areas where improvement may be needed.
As we see increased reliance on information technology in the workplace and our business operations, Urban Edge has employed several measures to mitigate cyber risks. The Cyber Steering Committee is responsible for the risk management program which includes, but is not limited to, identifying cyber risks, the risk severity, risk response, and tracking risk remediation. The Cyber Steering Committee (i) meets typically quarterly to review emerging threats, controls, and procedures, (ii) meets at least annually with the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee to discuss trends in cyber risks and our strategy to defend our information against cybersecurity incidents, and (iii) will meet promptly following the occurrence of any material cyber incident.
In addition to a dedicated information technology and cybersecurity team monitoring our daily operations, the Company engages an independent third-party cybersecurity audit firm to periodically review cybersecurity risks and our Incident Response Program. The third-party firm evaluates our preparedness based on several factors including cyber risk assessment, vulnerability management, disaster recovery, and penetration testing. They also simulate attacks on the Company as part of their audit procedures to gauge if our incident response is repeatable and effective and provide recommendations for areas of improvement. Our vendor risk management program requires that critical and/or significant third-party service providers furnish information about their cyber policies to ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards.
We utilize a risk-based approach that aligns with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework , and Microsoft best practices. Our policies and procedures are reviewed and updated annually by the Cyber Steering Committee and incorporate third-party assessments to benchmark ourselves against industry standards. The Company utilizes advanced endpoint protection, firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, threat intelligence, security event logging and correlation, and backup and redundancy systems.
We have formal policies and procedures addressing data retention, incident response, asset and device management and have a Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Committee that meets biannually to review and update our plan, policies, and procedures to align with changes in risk assessment and emerging technologies. In addition, our Information Technology team conducts disaster recovery tests annually and reports results to the Cyber Steering Committee .
Compensation
As part of its oversight of the Company's executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee considers the impact of the Company's executive compensation program, and the incentives created by the compensation awards that it administers, on the Company's risk profile. In addition, the Company reviews all of its compensation policies and procedures, including the incentives that they create and factors that may reduce the likelihood of excessive risk taking, to determine whether they present a significant risk to the Company.
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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 2024, the following Trustees, all of whom are "independent" as defined under SEC rules and regulations and listing standards of the NYSE, served on our Compensation Committee: Steven H. Grapstein (Chair), Mary L. Baglivo , Norman K. Jenkins and Kevin P. O'Shea . None of our executive officers serve as either a member of the board or the compensation committee of any other company that has any executive officers serving as a member of our Board or Compensation Committee.
Board and Committee Meetings
In 2024, the Board held six meetings, the Audit Committee held four meetings, the Compensation Committee held five meetings and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee held four meetings. In 2024, each incumbent Trustee attended at least 75% of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board held during the period for which he or she was a Trustee and (ii) the total number of meetings of all committees of the Board on which the Trustee served during the periods that he or she served.
The Board does not have a formal policy regarding the attendance of Trustees at our annual meetings of shareholders but encourages all Trustees to make attendance a priority. Our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders was attended by all Trustees.
The independent Trustees of our Board have the opportunity to meet in executive session, without management present, at each Board and committee meeting. The Lead Trustee presides over independent, non-management sessions of the Board.
Nomination of Trustees
Before each annual meeting of shareholders, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers the nomination of each Trustee whose term expires at the annual meeting of shareholders and will also consider new candidates whenever there is a vacancy on the Board or whenever a vacancy is anticipated due to a change in the size or composition of the Board, a retirement of a Trustee or for any other reason.
The Board will generally, based on the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee , select new nominees considering the following, among other, criteria: (i) personal qualities and characteristics, accomplishments and reputation in the business community; (ii) current knowledge and contacts in the communities in which the Company does business and in the Company's industry or other industries relevant to the Company's business; (iii) ability and willingness to commit adequate time to board and committee matters; (iv) the fit of the individual's skills and personality with those of other Trustees and potential Trustees in building a board that is effective, collegial and responsive to the needs of the Company; and (v) diversity of viewpoints, experiences and other demographics.
In addition to considering incumbent Trustees, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee may identify Trustee candidates based on recommendations from management and shareholders. Shareholder recommendations must be submitted in writing to Urban Edge Properties , 12 East 49th Street, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10017, Attention: Robert C. Milton III, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, indicating the nominee's qualifications and other relevant biographical information and providing confirmation of the nominee's consent to serve as Trustee, if elected. See "Shareholder Proposals for the 2026 Annual Meeting" on page 68 of this Proxy Statement. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee may request additional information in order to evaluate the nominee.
Under our Bylaws, at a shareholder meeting to elect Trustees, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to a Trustee at the meeting will be sufficient to elect a Trustee (as long as a quorum is present), unless the election is contested, in which case a plurality of all votes cast will be sufficient.
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Over the last few years, our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee sought to refresh the Board. Four of our current Trustees, Mr. Jenkins and Mses. Baglivo, Sandstrom and Rice, joined the Board during that time. Two of the Company's original trustees, who served as Trustees since 2015 when the Company first traded as an independent public company, were not up for re-election for the 2022 - 2023 Board term, one was not up for re-election for the 2023 - 2024 Board term, and one was not up for re-election for the 2024 - 2025 Board term.
Corporate Responsibility ("CR") and Other Highlights
We are committed to sound corporate governance, which strengthens the accountability of our Board and promotes the long-term interests of our shareholders. We believe that our corporate governance standards and policies yield honest, transparent and accountable Trustees and executive officers. The summary below highlights our board and leadership practices and notable shareholder rights, as further discussed below.
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BOARD AND LEADERSHIP PRACTICES
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Majority of Trustees are independent (7 out of 8 Trustee nominees)
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Board leadership structure where the Lead Trustee has well-defined responsibilities separate from the Chairman of the Board
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All Board committees are composed of independent Trustees
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SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
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Opted out of the Maryland Business Combination and Control Share Acquisition Acts
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Corporate Responsibility ("CR") Program Oversight, Initiatives and Objectives
We seek to drive financial performance while engaging in environmentally and socially responsible business practices grounded in sound corporate governance. We believe that disclosure of our Corporate Responsibility practices allows our stakeholders to see our company holistically and understand its trajectory beyond fundamentals and financial metrics. The Company's Board of Trustees oversees our Corporate Responsibility program with initial oversight responsibilities delegated to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee . Internally, we have a Corporate Responsibility Steering Committee (the "Steering Committee") comprised of executives, senior leadership and other personnel of the Company. The Steering Committee meets periodically and is focused on setting, implementing, tracking, measuring, and communicating our progress related to Corporate Responsibility initiatives. The Steering Committee has developed a comprehensive suite of policies that inform and guide our approach and drive our Corporate Responsibility goals forward. We have aligned our sustainability practices in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative standards as well as the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures frameworks. On an annual basis, we publish a Corporate Responsibility Report and complete a GRESB submission to continue to measure our progress against
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peers. Additionally, we have conducted a materiality assessment to determine which environmental, social and governance issues matter most to our stakeholders, tenants and employees. We routinely reassess our plans and policies to evaluate compliance with regional and national requirements as well as industry best practices.
Environmental
From an environmental perspective, we have implemented and plan to continue to implement policies and practices with the goal of supporting the continued reduction of energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption, and improving waste recycling across the portfolio. Initiatives we have taken include the installation of energy-efficient roofing, LED lighting retrofits, high efficiency HVAC systems, electric vehicle charging stations and waste recycling and management programs. We are also exploring solar energy to further reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Our tenants also play a vital role in maximizing the impact we make, and as part of our initiatives we have created a tenant criteria manual focused on improving building energy and water efficiency that serves as a guideline for tenants undertaking construction projects at our properties with the aim of ensuring that they align with sustainable practices and our Corporate Responsibility objectives. Further, we have implemented green lease language into all new leases which includes several clauses designed to promote sustainability measures. We are committed to maintaining sustainable operations and believe that our long-term sustainability goals will align with positive outcomes for shareholders, tenants, employees and the communities in which we invest.
We are subject to federal, state and local regulations, including environmental regulations. Each of our properties has been subjected to varying degrees of environmental assessment at various times.
Social
Supporting the communities we serve is a core pillar of our Corporate Responsibility program. Our community involvement includes donations to various charitable organizations, hospitals, and relief funds as well as hosting community focused events at our properties that often include food and clothing drives. Many of these organizations and drives directly benefit the people and neighborhoods in which our properties are located. The Company has a volunteer initiative that embodies our commitment to fostering a culture of compassion, spearheading fundraising efforts that make a positive impact and that empowers employees to engage in meaningful volunteer work.
We believe that through our business, we are able to provide the communities in which we operate a welcoming and safe environment for our tenants and customers to connect and engage with one another. We are committed to providing a better shopping experience for our tenants' customers and servicing nearby communities by spending capital to improve our centers, which also results in the creation of new jobs in construction and retail. Additionally, we are deliberate in our leasing approach by aiming to add necessary retailers to neighborhoods lacking vital resources and those that appeal to the respective communities where the properties are located.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2024 , we had 109 employees. We believe that our people are our most valuable asset. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to continue to attract, hire, and retain qualified personnel. Accordingly, we strive to offer competitive salaries and employee benefits to all employees and monitor salaries in our market areas. We provide professional training and development workshops and aim to provide a workplace environment where employees are informed, engaged, feel empowered, and can succeed. The Company also has a mentorship program designed to provide members of the team an opportunity to expand their knowledge and experience through one-on-one mentorship with an employee from another department. The goal of this initiative is to promote a culture of learning while providing opportunities for professional and personal growth.
Further information on our Corporate Responsibility practices is available on the Corporate Responsibility section of our website (www.uedge.com). The information contained on or available through our webiste is not part of this Proxy Statement.
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Governance Highlights
Our corporate governance standards and policies aim to promote ethical conduct, fair dealing, transparency and accountability. The summary below highlights certain of our Board and leadership practices and notable shareholder rights.
Independent Board
We are currently governed by an eight-member Board. All Trustees are independent, other than Jeffrey S. Olson , our chief executive officer and chair of the Board. To enhance oversight, our governance structure includes designation of a Lead Trustee, who is elected annually by the independent Trustees, with well-defined responsibilities separate from those of the chair of the board (see "Lead Trustee" on page 12). All committees of the Board are comprised of independent Trustees, and independent Trustees conduct regular executive sessions. Trustees conduct a robust Board and committee self-assessment process annually.
Trustee Election; Declassified Board
Our Board consists of a single class of trustees who stand for election at each annual meeting. Our Bylaws include a majority voting standard for the election of Trustees in uncontested elections. Additionally, our Board adopted a policy requiring that any incumbent Trustee who does not receive a greater number of "for" votes than "against" votes in an uncontested election must promptly tender to the Board of Trustees his or her offer to resign from our Board of Trustees following certification of the vote.
Risk Oversight by Full Board and Committees
One of the key functions of the Board is to provide informed oversight of our risk-management process. The Board performs this oversight directly with support from its three committees - the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee - each of which addresses risks specific to their respective functional responsibilities. In addition to receiving information from its committees, the Board receives updates directly from members of management at both regularly scheduled Board and committee meetings and on ad hoc business updates. See "Role of the Board and its Committees in Risk Oversight" on page 14.
No Poison Pill
We do not have a shareholder rights plan in place. Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Board may not adopt, extend or renew a shareholder rights plan without prior approval of our shareholders, unless the Board determines that, under the circumstances existing at the time, it is in the best interests of the company to adopt, extend or renew such plan without delay. In that case, the shareholder rights plan will expire within 12 months of adoption unless ratified by our shareholders.
Stock Ownership Requirements and Restrictions
Trustees and executive officers are required to adhere to minimum share ownership guidelines. Additionally, our executive officers are prohibited from pledging, hedging or engaging in short sales involving our securities.
Clawback Policy
Executive officers are subject to a clawback policy, which provides that in certain circumstances, they are required to reimburse the company for excess compensation paid to them following a restatement of our financial statements.
Annual Say-on-Pay
We submit "say-on-pay" advisory votes for shareholder consideration and vote annually.
Shareholder Right to Amend Bylaws
Our shareholders may alter or repeal any provision of our Bylaws, or adopt new bylaw provisions, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast.
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Proxy Access
Our Bylaws permit a shareholder or group of no more than 20 shareholders meeting specified eligibility requirements to include trustee nominees in our proxy materials for the annual meeting of shareholders. The maximum number of trustee nominees that may be submitted pursuant to the proxy access provisions may not exceed the greater of (i) two or (ii) 20% of the number of trustees in office as of the last day on which a notice requesting the inclusion of trustee nominees in our proxy materials may be timely delivered.
Opt-Out of Maryland Business Combination Act
Our Bylaws provide that the Company may not elect to be subject to Title 3, Subtitle 6 of the Maryland General Corporation Law ("MGCL"), commonly known as the Maryland Business Combination Act, and that this prohibition may not be repealed without prior shareholder approval.
Opt-Out of Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act
Our Bylaws provide that Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL, commonly known as the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, will not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of beneficial interest of the Company.
Governance Policies
Our governance policies are heavily focused on ethics and people-first protections and guidelines. Our Code of Ethics, Conflict of Interest Policy, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Whistleblower Policy, and executive compensation policies form the backbone of our governance infrastructure. Most of these policies are available on our website https://uedge.com. The information included on or accessible through our website is not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.
Shareholder Outreach
Our Board and senior management believe that engaging in shareholder outreach is an essential element of strong corporate governance. We strive for a collaborative approach on issues of importance to investors and continually seek to understand better the views of our investors. Our senior management team engages with our shareholders throughout the year in a variety of forums and discusses, among other things, our business strategy and overall performance, executive compensation programs and corporate governance.
Communication with the Board
Our Board believes that shareholders and other constituents should have the ability to send written communications to the Board. Therefore, our policy is that all written communications to the Board as a whole should be addressed to the Chairman at Urban Edge Properties , 12 East 49th Street, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10017, c/o Board Secretary. The Chairman will review all relevant written communications with the other members of the Board. Written communications to our independent and/or non-management members of the Board should be addressed to the Lead Trustee at Urban Edge Properties , 12 East 49th Street, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10017, c/o Board Secretary.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Board adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which governs business decisions made, and actions taken by, our Trustees, officers and employees. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available at www.uedge.com under the heading "About Us" and subheading "Governance". The information contained on or available through our website is not part of this Proxy Statement. We intend to disclose on our website any amendment to, or waiver of, any provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to our Trustees and executive officers that would otherwise be required to be disclosed under the rules of the SEC or the NYSE.
20
Availability of Corporate Governance Materials
Shareholders may view our corporate governance materials, including the charters of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee , our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, at www.uedge.com, and these documents are available in print to any shareholder upon request by writing to Urban Edge Properties , 12 East 49th Street, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10017, Attention: General Counsel and Secretary. Information contained on or available through our website is not part of this Proxy Statement.
21
COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES
โ
Non-employee members of the Board are compensated as follows:
(1)
|
each receives an annual cash retainer equal to
|
(2)
|
each receives an annual grant of restricted Common Shares or deferred share units ("DSUs") or restricted LTIP units ("LTIP Units") in
|
(3)
|
the Lead Trustee receives an additional annual cash retainer of
|
(4)
|
the Chair of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual cash retainer of
|
(5)
|
the Chairs of the Compensation Committee and Corporate and Governance and Nominating Committees receive additional annual cash retainers of
|
(6)
|
members of the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees receive additional annual cash retainers of
|
Our Board and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee review our Trustee compensation at least annually. Our Board has the authority to approve all compensation payable to our Trustees, although the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for making recommendations to our Board regarding compensation. For 2024, Farient Advisors was hired to evaluate the structure and competitiveness of our Trustee compensation and recommend changes, as appropriate. Based on this review, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee recommended to the full Board to make no changes to Trustee compensation.
2024 Trustee Compensation
The following table summarizes the compensation earned by and/or paid to our non-employee Trustees in respect of their 2024 Board and committee service. Mr. Olson , our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, does not receive compensation for his services as Trustee. Information regarding compensation for Mr. Olson can be found in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section of this Proxy Statement.
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Stock
Awards
($)(1)(2)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Total
($)
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
95,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
119,995
|
โ
|
โ
|
214,995
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
95,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
119,989
|
โ
|
โ
|
214,989
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
25,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
25,000
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
165,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
119,995
|
โ
|
โ
|
284,995
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
100,625
|
โ
|
โ
|
119,995
|
โ
|
โ
|
220,620
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
106,875
|
โ
|
โ
|
119,999
|
โ
|
โ
|
226,874
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
97,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
119,995
|
โ
|
โ
|
217,495
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
87,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
119,995
|
โ
|
โ
|
207,495
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
The amounts disclosed in the "Stock Awards" column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted Common Shares, LTIP Units or DSUs granted at each Trustee's election during 2024 as determined pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation (FASB ASC Topic 718).
|
22
(2)
|
As of
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
Shares/
LTIP Units/DSUs
|
Baglivo
|
โ
|
โ
|
8,005
|
Grapstein
|
โ
|
โ
|
8,528
|
Jenkins
|
โ
|
โ
|
8,005
|
O'Shea
|
โ
|
โ
|
8,005
|
Rice
|
โ
|
โ
|
7,036
|
Sandstrom
|
โ
|
โ
|
8,005
|
Sesler
|
โ
|
โ
|
8,005
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(3)
|
Board service for
|
Stock Ownership Guidelines
We have adopted equity ownership guidelines for our Board. Under our guidelines, all non-employee Trustees are required to maintain a minimum ownership level of Common Shares (or certain securities convertible into or redeemable for Common Shares) equal to at least three times their annual cash retainer of $75,000 . Our non-employee Trustees have until the end of the fifth full calendar year after becoming a Trustee to satisfy the ownership requirement. All non-employee Trustees currently satisfy these guidelines.
23
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
โ
โ
Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of our current executive officers and further below are their biographical summaries. These officers are appointed annually by the Board and serve at the Board's discretion.
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
Age
|
โ
|
โ
|
Position
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
57
|
โ
|
โ
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
55
|
โ
|
โ
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
58
|
โ
|
โ
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
Robert C. Milton III
|
โ
|
โ
|
53
|
โ
|
โ
|
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Robert C. Milton III. Mr. Milton joined Urban Edge Properties as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in January 2016 . Mr. Milton was previously General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Secretary of the Board and a Managing Director of CIFC Corp. (and its predecessor) from August 2008 to August 2015 . From 1999 to 2008, he was an attorney with Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP in its Global Finance department. Mr. Milton has a B.A. in Mathematics from Vassar College , a J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School and an M.B.A. from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University .
24
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
โ
โ
The following table lists the number of Common Shares and units in UELP beneficially owned, as of March 10, 2025 , by: (i) each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding Common Shares, (ii) each of our Trustees, (iii) each of our named executive officers who is not a Trustee, and (iv) our Trustees and executive officers as a group.
The SEC has defined "beneficial ownership" of a security to mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of voting power and/or investment power over such security. A shareholder is also deemed to be, as of any date, the beneficial owner of all securities that such shareholder has the right to acquire within 60 days after that date through (i) the exercise of any option, warrant or right, (ii) the conversion of a security, (iii) the power to revoke a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement, or (iv) the automatic termination of a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement. In computing the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, Common Shares subject to options or other rights (as set forth above) held by that person that are exercisable as of March 10, 2025 or will become exercisable within 60 days thereafter, are deemed outstanding; however, such Common Shares are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Each person named in the table has sole voting and/or investment power with respect to all of the Common Shares shown as beneficially owned by such person, except as otherwise set forth in the notes to the table.
As of March 10, 2025 , the following Common Shares and units were issued and outstanding: (i) 125,665,871 Common Shares, (ii) 2,638,724 common units of limited partnership interests in UELP ("Common Units") (other than Common Units held by the Company) and (iii) 3,727,388 LTIP Units. Such totals exclude unearned performance-based LTIP Units, which may be earned based on the achievement of performance-based vesting hurdles, and DSUs which represent the right to receive Common Shares in the future).
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each named person is c/o Urban Edge Properties , 12 East 49th Street, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||||||
โ
|
โ
|
Common Shares
|
โ
|
โ
|
Common Shares and Units
|
|||||||
Beneficial Owner Name
|
โ
|
โ
|
Number
of Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Percent of
Common
Shares(2)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Number of
Shares and
Units
Beneficially
Owned(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Percent of
Common
Shares and
Units(2)
|
5% Holders
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
21,490,424
|
โ
|
โ
|
17.1%
|
โ
|
โ
|
21,490,424
|
โ
|
โ
|
16.3%
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
18,355,495
|
โ
|
โ
|
14.6%
|
โ
|
โ
|
18,355,495
|
โ
|
โ
|
13.9%
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
13,089,420
|
โ
|
โ
|
10.4%
|
โ
|
โ
|
13,089,420
|
โ
|
โ
|
9.9%
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
7,422,379
|
โ
|
โ
|
5.9%
|
โ
|
โ
|
7,422,379
|
โ
|
โ
|
5.6%
|
Trustees, Nominees for Trustee and Named Executive Officers
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
240,028
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,568,353
|
โ
|
โ
|
1.2%
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
โ
|
โ
|
31,625
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
8,595
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
โ
|
โ
|
59,362
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
โ
|
โ
|
36,222
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
13,147
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
โ
|
โ
|
75,950
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
23,681
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
โ
|
โ
|
23,681
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
โ
|
โ
|
23,571
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ57,802
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
Chief Financial Officer(14)
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ259,888
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ827,263
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
25
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||||||
โ
|
โ
|
Common Shares
|
โ
|
โ
|
Common Shares and Units
|
|||||||
Beneficial Owner Name
|
โ
|
โ
|
Number
of Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Percent of
Common
Shares(2)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Number of
Shares and
Units
Beneficially
Owned(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Percent of
Common
Shares and
Units(2)
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ314,138
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
โ
|
โ
|
189,813
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
All Trustees and Executive Officers as a Group (11 Persons)(17)
|
โ
|
โ
|
545,339
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ3,207,780
|
โ
|
โ
|
2.4%
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
*
|
Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.
|
(1)
|
"Number of Shares Beneficially Owned" includes Common Shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of options exercisable on or within 60 days after
|
(2)
|
The total number of Common Shares outstanding used in calculating the percentage of Common Shares held by each person assumes the exercise of all options to acquire Common Shares that are exercisable on or within 60 days after
|
(3)
|
Based on information provided on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the
|
(4)
|
Based on information provided on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the
|
(5)
|
Based on information provided on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the
|
(6)
|
Based on information provided on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the
|
(7)
|
Includes (i) 2,316 Common Shares together with 237,712 options, and (ii) only under "Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned" column, 1,328,325 LTIP Units. See "Outstanding Equity Awards at 2024 Fiscal Year End" on page 47 for additional detail regarding the options.
|
(8)
|
Represents, only under "Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned" column, 31,625 LTIP Units.
|
(9)
|
Includes (i) 8,595 Common Shares, and (ii) only under "Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned" column, 50,767 LTIP Units, and excludes 17,173 DSUs.
|
(10)
|
Represents, only under "Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned" column, 36,222 LTIP Units.
|
(11)
|
Represents (i) 13,147 Common Shares, and (ii) only under "Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned" column, 62,803 LTIP Units.
|
(12)
|
Represents, only under "Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned" column, 23,571 LTIP Units, and excludes 10,050 DSUs.
|
(13)
|
Represents, only under "Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned" column, 57,802 LTIP Units.
|
(14)
|
Represents (i) 36,077 Common Shares and 223,811 options and (ii) only under "Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned" column, 567,375 LTIP Units. See "Outstanding Equity Awards at 2024 Fiscal Year End" on page 47 for additional detail regarding the options.
|
26
(15)
|
Represents, only under "Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned" column, 314,138 LTIP Units.
|
(16)
|
Represents, only under "Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned" column, 189,813 LTIP Units.
|
(17)
|
Includes (i) an aggregate of 83,816 Common Shares together with 461,523 options, and (ii) only under the "Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned" column, 2,662,441 LTIP Units. See also Notes (7) - (16) above.
|
27
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
โ
The Audit Committee of the Board has selected the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025 , and the Board is asking shareholders to ratify this appointment. Deloitte & Touche LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2014 and is considered by our management to be well qualified. Although current law, rules and regulations, as well as the Audit Committee charter, require our independent auditor to be engaged, retained and supervised by the Audit Committee, the Board considers submitting the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP for ratification by shareholders to be a good practice. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion, may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time if the Audit Committee believes that such a change would be in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders. If the selection is not ratified, the Audit Committee will take that act into consideration, together with such other factors it deems relevant, in determining its next selection of an independent registered public accounting firm. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will be given the opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
โ
|
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF OUR
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.
|
โ
|
28
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
โ
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table summarizes the aggregate fees for professional services rendered to us by Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte") for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
2024
|
โ
|
โ
|
2023
|
|
Audit Fees(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
Audit-Related Fees(2)
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ281,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ284,000
|
Tax Fees(3)
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ210,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
172,000
|
All Other Fees
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ4,041
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
Total Fees
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ$1,803,041
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
Represents the aggregate fees billed by Deloitte for the years ended
|
(2)
|
Represents the aggregate fees billed by Deloitte for the years ended
|
(3)
|
Represents the aggregate fees billed by Deloitte for the years ended
|
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee established a policy of reviewing and approving engagement letters with our independent registered public accounting firm for the services described under "Audit Fees" before the provision of those services, and has pre-approved the use of our independent registered public accounting firm by the Company for additional audit-related and other services of up to $200,000 . Any services not specified that exceed those amounts must be approved by the Audit Committee before the provision of such services commences. Requests to provide services requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee are submitted to the Audit Committee with a description of the services to be provided and an estimate of the fees to be charged in connection with such services.
All of the services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm during 2024 were either expressly pre-approved by the Audit Committee or were pre-approved in accordance with the pre-approval policy.
29
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
โ
In performing its oversight role, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company with management and Deloitte & Touche LLP . The Audit Committee has also discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") and the SEC . The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Deloitte & Touche LLP's independence. The Audit Committee has also discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP its independence.
Based on the review and discussions described in the preceding paragraph, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Trustees that the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 .
Members of the Audit Committee rely without independent verification on the information provided to them and on the representations made by management and Deloitte & Touche LLP . Accordingly, the Audit Committee's oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committee's considerations and discussions referred to above do not assure that the audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements has been carried out in accordance with the auditing standards of the PCAOB, that the consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America or that Deloitte & Touche LLP is in fact "independent" or the effectiveness of the Company's internal controls.
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30
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
โ
NEOs and Executive Compensation Philosophy
The "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section of this Proxy Statement discusses the principles underlying the material components of our compensation arrangements for our named executive officers ("NEOs") for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 . During 2024, our NEOs and their titles were as follows:
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โข
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โข
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โข
|
Robert C. Milton III - Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel ("GC")
|
Executive Compensation Philosophy
Our executive compensation philosophy emphasizes performance-based compensation over guaranteed pay. Our pay-for-performance philosophy is evidenced by a significant portion of our NEOs' total compensation being based on (i) an annual short-term incentive compensation program that aligns with our objectives for that year and (ii) performance-based long-term incentives based on absolute and relative total shareholder retu("TSR"), Funds from Operations ("FFO") as Adjusted per share growth and same-property Net Operating Income ("NOI") growth, all measured over a cumulative three-year period. As shown below, our CEO's compensation is 86% performance-based/at-risk and the average performance-based/at-risk compensation amount for our other NEOs is 77%.
โ
2024 Business Highlights
Highlights of 2024 include the following:
โข
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Total shareholder retufor the year of 22%, outperforming the Dow Jones
|
โข
|
Generated net income attributable to common shareholders of
|
31
โข
|
Generated FFO as Adjusted(1) of
|
โข
|
Increased same-property NOI(1), including properties in redevelopment, by 5.1% compared to the year ended
|
โข
|
Reported same-property portfolio leased occupancy of 96.6%, an increase of 80 basis points compared to
|
โข
|
Acquired
|
Say on Pay Voting Results
At our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders, we received approximately 96.1% approval for our annual advisory "say-on-pay" vote to approve the compensation of our NEOs, which we believe affirms our shareholders' support of our approach to our NEO compensation program and we therefore did not make any significant changes to the structure of the program.
Summary of NEO Target Compensation
Our 2024 compensation program includes three principal components. Below is a summary of target compensation for each NEO under them:
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Executive
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Base Salary
|
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STI Program
|
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Long-Term Equity Incentive
Award
|
(CEO)
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โ
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110% of base salary
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(COO)
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100% of base salary
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(CFO)
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100% of base salary
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Robert C. Milton III
(GC)
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100% of base salary
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$398,640
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(1)
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Please see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" beginning on page 63 for reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
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32
Executive Compensation Process
The Compensation Committee typically meets multiple times each year in connection with the consideration and determination of executive compensation, and is responsible for determining and approving the compensation of all of our executive officers. Historically, most actions of the Compensation Committee have occurred at regular meetings scheduled well in advance by the Compensation Committee; however, the Compensation Committee may hold special meetings or take actions by written consent as they deem appropriate. Specific meeting agendas are prepared by the chair of the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the other members of the committee or the CEO as the chair may deem appropriate. Matters to be acted on by written consent may relate to matters that have been previously discussed and/or are summarized by a member of the Compensation Committee, our CEO, a consultant engaged by the Compensation Committee or other advisor to us or the Compensation Committee.
Compensation Program Objectives
The Compensation Committee has established executive compensation objectives and a philosophy to attract, retain and appropriately reward a "best-in-class" executive management team. We believe that the quality, skills and dedication of our NEOs are critical factors that affect the long-term value of the Company. Accordingly, the objectives of our executive compensation program are to:
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Attract and retain a highly-skilled, "best-in-class" team of executives.
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Motivate our executives to contribute to the achievement of company-wide, business-unit and individual goals.
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Emphasize equity-based incentives with long-term performance measurement periods and vesting conditions.
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Align the interests of executives with shareholders by linking payouts under annual incentives to performance measures that promote the creation of long-term shareholder value.
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Achieve an appropriate balance between risk and reward in our compensation program that does not encourage excessive or inappropriate risk-taking.
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โข
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Encourage equity ownership by our executives over the course of their employment, aligning executive interests with those of our shareholders.
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โข
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Maintain a "best-in-class" compensation program that incorporates best practice policies from the perspective of shareholders, peers and other relevant sources.
|
Our executive compensation program is intended to reward the achievement of annual, long-term and strategic goals of both the Company and the individual executive. To achieve these objectives, our executive compensation program includes fixed, variable, annual and long-term components as described below. In particular, for our Chairman and CEO, a majority of his compensation is in the form of equity compensation subject to multi-year, time-based vesting and/or TSR, FFO as Adjusted per share and same-property NOI performance designed to ensure that the value of the compensation that he ultimately realizes is based on our share price performance and profitability, further aligning his interests with those of the Company and our shareholders.
Role of the Compensation Committee and our Chief Executive Officer
The purposes and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee in making compensation decisions include:
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Review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the CEO, evaluate the CEO's performance and determine and approve the CEO's compensation level based on this evaluation;
|
โข
|
Review and approve the total compensation package for the Company's officers at the level of executive vice-president and above, and all equity awards under the Company's 2015 Omnibus Share Plan and 2024 Omnibus Share Plan;
|
33
โข
|
Make recommendations to the Board with respect to incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans that are subject to Board approval and approve any new or materially amended equity compensation plan where shareholder approval has not been obtained; and
|
โข
|
Oversee, with management, regulatory compliance with respect to compensation matters, including the Company's compensation policies.
|
The Compensation Committee also may retain, at our expense, and terminate independent counsel and other advisors and experts as it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties. In setting the 2024 compensation for our NEOs (other than the CEO), the Compensation Committee also considered the recommendations of our CEO.
Role of the Independent Compensation Consultant and Use of Peer Group Data
The Compensation Committee selected and directly engaged Farient Advisors ("Farient") as its compensation consultant in June 2024 . Farient provides the Compensation Committee with peer executive compensation data and expertise and advice on various matters brought before the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee had the sole authority to retain and terminate Farient as its compensation consultant, and approve fees and other engagement terms. The Compensation Committee determined that Farient is independent from management based upon the consideration of relevant factors, including the following:
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Farient did not provide any services to us except advisory services to the Compensation Committee;
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โข
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The amount of fees received from us by Farient was not material as a percentage of Farient's total revenue;
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โข
|
Farient had policies and procedures that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest;
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Farient and its employees that provided services to the Compensation Committee did not have any business or personal relationship with any member of the Compensation Committee or any of our executive officers; and
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โข
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Farient and its employees that provided services to the Compensation Committee did not own any of our Common Shares.
|
Based on the data and analysis provided by Farient, the Compensation Committee has developed a compensation plan that seeks to maintain the link between corporate performance and shareholder returns while being generally competitive within our industry. The Compensation Committee considered Farient's peer group analysis when considering base salaries and bonuses paid to our executives for 2024.
In selecting the peer group, the Compensation Committee considers REITs that have at least two of the following characteristics:
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Retail property focus (shopping centers, freestanding retail and regional malls);
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Geographic focus similar to that of the Company and with which the Company directly competes for talent; and
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Market capitalization no less than approximately one half and no more than approximately three times the market capitalization of the Company.
|
34
The following table provides the names and key information for each peer company at the time when the Compensation Committee reviewed the peer group market data at year end 2024:
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Company
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Implied Equity
Market Cap
($)(1)
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Total
Enterprise
Value
($)(1)
|
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Headquarters
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REIT Sector
|
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2,940
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4,941
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|
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Shopping Centers
|
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8,409
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13,329
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Shopping Centers
|
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2,832
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4,925
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Office
|
|
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9,581
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14,386
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Shopping Centers
|
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5,644
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8,836
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Shopping Centers
|
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2,391
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4,046
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Industrial
|
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1,174
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5,114
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Office
|
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5,104
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7,202
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Shopping Centers
|
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N/A
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N/A
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Shopping Centers
|
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802
|
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250
|
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Shopping Centers
|
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3,939
|
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5,437
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Shopping Centers
|
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1,688
|
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3,401
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Apartments
|
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2,833
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4,397
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Shopping Centers
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(1)
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Source:
|
(2)
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Added as a peer company in 2024.
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(3)
|
|
(4)
|
In
|
Analysis of Risk Associated with our Executive Compensation Program
The Compensation Committee does not believe that our executive compensation program encourages excessive or inappropriate risk taking for the reasons stated below.
We structure our pay to consist of both fixed and variable compensation. The fixed portion (base salary) of compensation is designed to provide a base level of income regardless of our financial or share price performance.
The variable portions of compensation (cash incentive and equity) are designed to encourage and reward both short- and long-term corporate performance. We believe that these variable elements of compensation are a sufficient percentage of total compensation to provide incentives to executives to produce superior short- and long-term corporate results, while the fixed element is also sufficiently high that the executives are not encouraged to take unnecessary or excessive risks in doing so. The Company and the Compensation Committee also believe that the mix of quantifiable performance metrics used in our long-term equity-based compensation plans and the short-term incentive program and the subjective, role specific objectives included in the short-term incentive program provide an incentive for our executives to produce superior performance without the distorting effects of providing a pre-determinable compensation award based on the performance of only one division or business unit or upon other results that may not reflect the long- or short-term results of the Company as a whole.
As demonstrated above, our executive compensation program is structured to achieve its objectives by (i) providing incentives to our NEOs to manage the Company for the creation of long-term shareholder value, (ii) avoiding the type of disproportionately large short-term incentives that could encourage our NEOs to take risks that may not be in the Company's long-term interests, (iii) requiring our NEOs to maintain a significant investment in the Company and (iv) evaluating annually an array of performance criteria in determining executive compensation rather than focusing on a singular metric that may encourage unnecessary risk taking. We believe this combination of factors encourages our NEOs to manage the Company prudently.
35
Elements of Compensation
Base Salary: Description and Analysis
Although the Compensation Committee does not set base salary levels equal to any specific percentage of base salaries paid to comparable officers in the peer group, our NEOs are paid an amount in the form of base pay within the range of base salaries paid in the peer group and which we believe to be sufficient to attract executive talent and maintain a stable management team.
Our NEOs' base salaries are listed below:
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2025 Annual Base Salary
|
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|
2024 Annual Base Salary
|
|
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|
|
|
โ
|
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|
625,000
|
โ
|
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|
625,000
|
|
โ
|
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|
622,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
622,000
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
433,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
433,000
|
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Annual base salaries of each NEO are reviewed each year by the Compensation Committee and, under the applicable employment agreement or offer letter may be increased by the Compensation Committee as needed. In January 2025 , the Compensation Committee elected to maintain base salary levels for each of the NEOs.
2024 STI Program
We utilized a predominantly formulaic short-term incentive compensation program in 2024 (the "2024 STI Program"), which provides annual bonuses to executives based on performance criteria established by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the year. Participants eabonuses based on the level of achievement of pre-established Company and individual-specific performance metrics. In 2024, executives were provided with the opportunity to elect to receive unvested LTIP Units in lieu of any earned cash bonus and receive a 20% match in the form of additional unvested LTIP Units (further detailed under "Alignment of Interest Awards" below).
The 2024 STI Program sets forth threshold, target and maximum award levels for each NEO as a percentage of their base salaries as follows, with performance between threshold and target or target and maximum calculated using linear interpolation:
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Executive
|
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Threshold
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Maximum
|
|
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|
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55%
|
โ
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|
110%
|
โ
|
โ
|
220%
|
Messrs. Mooallem and Langer
|
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|
โ
|
50%
|
โ
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โ
|
100%
|
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|
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|
175%
|
|
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|
50%
|
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|
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|
100%
|
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|
150%
|
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The Company-wide and individual performance measures, the weightings and the relevant performance range applicable to each NEO under the 2024 STI Program are set forth below:
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Performance Measures
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Weighting
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Threshold
|
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Maximum
|
FFO as Adjusted (per share)(1)
|
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35%
|
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|
|
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|
|
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|
|
Same Property NOI Growth(2)
|
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|
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|
15%
|
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|
2.8%
|
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|
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|
3.8%
|
โ
|
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|
4.8%
|
Shope Lease Executions (in $ millions)(3)
|
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|
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|
10%
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|
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|
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|
|
Pipeline Deliveries (in $ millions)(4)
|
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|
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10%
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โ
|
|
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|
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|
|
Balance Sheet Management(5)
|
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10%
|
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|
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|
1
|
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|
3
|
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โ
|
5
|
Compensation Committee's Evaluation
|
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|
โ
|
โ20%
|
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|
โ
|
1
|
โ
|
โ
|
3
|
โ
|
โ
|
5
|
Total
|
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|
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|
100%
|
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โ
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โ
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(1)
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Encourages focus on profitability as measured by the most frequently used REIT earnings measurement on a per share basis.
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(2)
|
A key internal performance metric that measures growth in our existing real estate portfolio as a result of increases in occupancy, cash rental income, and our ability to manage property operating expenses. Measurement includes redevelopment growth.
|
(3)
|
Measures amount of annualized base rent budgeted to be received from shop leases executed during two years, measured to ensure we maintain robust leasing activity.
|
(4)
|
Measures annualized gross rent of properties delivered to tenants, measured to ensure we maintain robust leasing activity.
|
(5)
|
Assessment of balance sheet activity, designed to ensure focus on the strategic financial positioning of the Company.
|
36
The 2024 STI Program is based in part on the achievement of several objective Company performance criteria that incentivize management to focus on financial goals that are aligned with our annual operating budget and strategic goals for the year. The Compensation Committee determined that each goal was challenging and set at levels that would require the Company to work toward meaningful achievement of measures that would promote both short- and long-term value.
The 2024 STI Program also contained a subjective element based on the Compensation Committee's assessment of our Company's performance and the executive's individual performance, with input from our CEO (other than with respect to his own compensation), as applicable. In this subjective element, the Compensation Committee considered each NEO's individual performance and the Company's overall 2024 accomplishments, including the performance set forth under "2024 Business Highlights" and performance in, but not limited to, the following categories: leadership and strategic planning.
Based on actual performance in 2024 and the weightings assigned to each performance measure, the Compensation Committee determined the 2024 STI Program awards set forth below:
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Actual STI Award
as % of Base
Salary
|
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|
โ
|
Actual 2024
STI Earned
Award
($)(1)
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
201%
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,212,881
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
162%
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,013,513
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
162%
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,008,648
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
141%
|
โ
|
โ
|
612,441
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
Each executive elected to receive 100% of their earned bonus in unvested LTIP Units under the "Alignment of Interest Awards".
|
Alignment of Interest Awards
2023 STI Election and Equity Awarded in 2024
Consistent with the Company's objectives of (i) emphasizing equity-based compensation with long-term vesting conditions, (ii) encouraging equity ownership by our executives, (iii) aligning the interests of executives with shareholders, and (iv) promoting long-term retention, NEOs and 24 other officers were provided a one-time opportunity to elect to receive unvested LTIP Units in lieu of all or a portion of their earned 2023 STI cash bonuses and receive a matching grant of unvested LTIP units in the same amount as the bonus elected in LTIP Units. The LTIP Units granted in lieu of 2023 STI cash bonuses and the matching grants are both subject to a long-term four-year ratable vesting period. The Compensation Committee believes that this vesting feature reinforces a long-term focus, promotes the retention of our management team and is appropriately aligned with the Company's long-term strategic plan. Of the 28 eligible participants in the matching program, 20 elected to receive some or all of their 2023 STI bonuses in LTIP Units.
Each of our four NEOs elected to receive 100% of their earned 2023 STI awards in unvested LTIP Units, increasing their unvested equity by over 50% as of the date of the award. As a result of these elections, the 2023 matching LTIP Units, awarded in 2024, were as follows for our NEOs:
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
% of 2023
STI
Elected in
LTIP
Units
|
โ
|
โ
|
Matching Dollar
Amount Awarded in
LTIP Units
($)
|
โ
|
โ
|
# of Matching LTIP
Units
Awarded in 2024(1)
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,333,788
|
โ
|
โ
|
143,265
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,049,219
|
โ
|
โ
|
64,409
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,066,341
|
โ
|
โ
|
65,460
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
โ
|
โ
|
634,074
|
โ
|
โ
|
38,924
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
Matching LTIP Units are included in the Grant of Plan Based Award Table below.
|
37
2024 STI Election and Equity Awarded in 2025
To further the objectives of the 2023 alignment of interest award, NEOs and 19 other officers were provided the opportunity to elect to receive unvested LTIP Units in lieu of all or a portion of their earned 2024 STI cash bonuses and receive a 20% matching grant of unvested LTIP units. The LTIP Units granted in lieu of 2024 STI cash bonuses and the matching grants are both subject to a long-term three-year ratable vesting period. The Compensation Committee believes that the 2024 alignment of interest award reinforces a long-term focus, promotes the retention of our management team and is appropriately aligned with the Company's long-term strategic plan. Of the 23 eligible participants in the matching program, 16 elected to receive some or all of their 2024 STI bonuses in LTIP Units.
Each of our four NEOs elected to receive 100% of their earned 2024 STI awards in unvested LTIP Units. As a result of these elections, the 2024 matching LTIP Units, awarded in 2025, were as follows for our NEOs:
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
% of 2024
STI
Elected in
LTIP
Units
|
โ
|
โ
|
Matching Dollar
Amount Awarded in
LTIP Units
($)
|
โ
|
โ
|
# of Matching LTIP
Units
Awarded in 2024(1)
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
โ
|
โ
|
442,576
|
โ
|
โ
|
23,294
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
โ
|
โ
|
202,703
|
โ
|
โ
|
10,668
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
โ
|
โ
|
201,730
|
โ
|
โ
|
10,616
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
โ
|
โ
|
122,488
|
โ
|
โ
|
6,448
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
Matching LTIP Units will be included in next year's Grant of Plan Based Award Table below.
|
Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation - 2024 Awards
2024 Long-Term Incentive Awards
On February 9, 2024 , the Compensation Committee granted long-term incentive compensation awards for 2024 ("2024 LTI Awards"). The 2024 LTI Awards were comprised of both performance-based and time-based vesting equity awards. The 2024 LTI Awards were weighted, in terms of grant date fair value, approximately one-half performance-based and one-half time-based for each of the NEOs.
Overall, the Compensation Committee established the amounts of the 2024 LTI Awards to be granted to each of the NEOs based on the anticipated grant date fair values of the awards, its review of peer group data and its view of appropriate award amounts in light of each of our executive's roles, responsibilities and experience, its desire to offer competitive compensation including an appropriate mix of cash and equity compensation, and our existing commitments to the NEOs in our agreements with them.
The performance-based awards, which are granted in LTIP Units, are eligible to be earned based on (i) our absolute TSR (25% of the performance-based awards) and our TSR relative to a peer group (25% of the performance-based awards) over the three-year measurement period from February 9, 2024 through February 8, 2027 , and (ii) our same-property NOI ("SP NOI") growth relative to a peer group (25% of the performance-based award) and our FFO as Adjusted per share growth percentage relative to a peer group ("FFO Growth %") (25% of the performance-based awards) over the three-year measurement period from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026 .
Listed below are the threshold, target and maximum numbers of LTIP Units that each NEO is eligible to eaat the conclusion of the performance period and the grant date fair value of the performance-based 2024 LTI Awards that we granted to each NEO:
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
Threshold
Units(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Units
|
โ
|
โ
|
Maximum
Units(2)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Grant Date
Value ($)(3)
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
59,545
|
โ
|
โ
|
119,093
|
โ
|
โ
|
238,189
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,224,470
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
18,063
|
โ
|
โ
|
36,129
|
โ
|
โ
|
72,258
|
โ
|
โ
|
674,829
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
14,581
|
โ
|
โ
|
29,163
|
โ
|
โ
|
58,330
|
โ
|
โ
|
544,860
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
5,333
|
โ
|
โ
|
10,667
|
โ
|
โ
|
21,335
|
โ
|
โ
|
199,263
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
38
(1)
|
Represents the number of units earned if the minimum threshold for the performance-based 2024 LTI Awards is met (50% of the
|
(2)
|
Represents the maximum number of units earned if the maximum performance thresholds are met (200% of the
|
(3)
|
Represents the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718.
|
The following tables set forth the threshold, target and maximum performance levels, and the number of LTIP Units earned at each level, for the absolute TSR, relative TSR, relative SP NOI and FFO Growth % components of the performance-based 2024 LTI Awards. None of the LTIP Units will be earned for a particular component if performance for that component is below threshold. The number of LTIP Units that are earned if performance is between threshold and target or target and maximum will be determined based on linear interpolation between the percentages earned at the applicable levels. In addition, if our absolute TSR for the performance period is negative, then no more than 100% (i.e., the number of Target Units) may be earned under the relative TSR component. Further, if our Net Debt-to-EBITDA ratio exceeds 8x, then no more than 100% (i.e., the number of Target Units) may be earned under the FFO Growth % component.
Absolute TSR Component (25% of the performance-based 2024 LTI Awards)
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Performance Level
|
โ
|
โ
|
Absolute TSR
|
โ
|
โ
|
% of
|
Threshold
|
โ
|
โ
|
12%
|
โ
|
โ
|
50%
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
21%
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
Maximum
|
โ
|
โ
|
30% or higher
|
โ
|
โ
|
200%
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Relative TSR Component (25% of the performance-based 2024 LTI Awards)
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Performance Level
|
โ
|
โ
|
Relative TSR
|
โ
|
โ
|
% of
|
Threshold
|
โ
|
โ
|
35th Percentile
|
โ
|
โ
|
50%
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
55th Percentile
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
Maximum
|
โ
|
โ
|
75th Percentile or higher
|
โ
|
โ
|
200%
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Relative SP NOI Growth Component (25% of the performance-based 2024 LTI Awards)
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Performance Level
|
โ
|
โ
|
Relative TSR
|
โ
|
โ
|
% of
|
Threshold
|
โ
|
โ
|
35th Percentile
|
โ
|
โ
|
50%
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
55th Percentile
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
Maximum
|
โ
|
โ
|
75th Percentile or higher
|
โ
|
โ
|
200%
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Relative FFO Growth % Component (25% of the performance-based 2024 LTI Awards)
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Performance Level
|
โ
|
โ
|
Annualized FFO Growth %
|
โ
|
โ
|
% of
|
Threshold
|
โ
|
โ
|
35th Percentile
|
โ
|
โ
|
50%
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
55th Percentile
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
Maximum
|
โ
|
โ
|
75th Percentile or higher
|
โ
|
โ
|
200%
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
If the designated performance objectives are achieved, the LTIP Units earned under the performance-based 2024 LTI Awards will also be subject to vesting based on continued employment with the Company through February 9, 2029 , with 50% of the LTIP Units earned vesting on the date the Compensation Committee determines the amount earned following the conclusion of the performance period, and 25% vesting on each of February 9, 2028 and February 9, 2029 .
During the performance measurement period, recipients of the performance-based 2024 LTI Awards will receive distributions on the maximum number of LTIP Units that could be earned at one-tenth of the dividend rate otherwise payable to the Company's shareholders. To the extent LTIP Units are earned, the recipients are entitled to receive the excess amount of distributions that would have been received, above the amount of distributions actually received on all of the LTIP Units subject to the recipient's performance-based 2024
39
LTI Award, if the LTIP Units that were earned had been entitled to receive full distributions since the beginning of the performance period, which may be paid either in additional LTIP Units valued on the ex-dividend date for each distribution as if such distributions had been reinvested contemporaneously or in cash.
The time-based 2024 LTI Awards, also granted in LTIP Units, vest in equal annual installments over three years (or four in the case of Mr. Olson ) on February 9, 2024 and subsequent anniversaries thereof. Listed below are the number of LTIP Units and grant date fair value of the time-based 2024 LTI Awards that each NEO was granted on February 9, 2024 :
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
Time-Based
Vesting LTIP
Units
|
โ
|
โ
|
Grant Date
Value
($)(1)
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
136,586
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,224,986
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
41,925
|
โ
|
โ
|
674,993
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
33,843
|
โ
|
โ
|
544,872
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
12,380
|
โ
|
โ
|
199,318
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
Represents the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718.
|
Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation - Prior Years Performance-Based Awards
We have structured our prior year long-term equity-based compensation awards to include awards containing multi-year performance-based vesting criteria that continue to incentivize performance in years following the years in which they were granted. The following summarizes the terms of the performance-based equity awards that we had granted to the NEOs prior to 2024 that had performance periods that included all or part of 2024.
2021 Long-Term Incentive Awards - Measurement Period Ended February 9, 2024
On February 10, 2021 , the Compensation Committee granted long-term incentive compensation awards for 2021 ("2021 LTI Awards"). The 2021 LTI Awards were comprised of both performance-based and time-based vesting equity awards. The performance-based awards, which are granted in LTIP Units, were eligible to be earned based on our absolute TSR (25% of the performance-based awards) and our TSR relative to a peer group (75% of the performance-based awards) over a three-year measurement period from February 10, 2021 through February 9, 2024 .
Listed below are the threshold, target and maximum numbers of LTIP Units that may be earned at the conclusion of the performance period and the actual LTIP Units earned by each NEO (other than Mr. Mooallem , who was not an employee of the Company when the plan was established):
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
Threshold
Units(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Units
|
โ
|
โ
|
Maximum
Units
|
โ
|
โ
|
Total Units
Earned(1)
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
45,895
|
โ
|
โ
|
114,739
|
โ
|
โ
|
189,321
|
โ
|
โ
|
91,300
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
11,348
|
โ
|
โ
|
28,373
|
โ
|
โ
|
46,815
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,577
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,652
|
โ
|
โ
|
6,632
|
โ
|
โ
|
10,944
|
โ
|
โ
|
5,277
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
50% of these units vested on
|
2022 Long-Term Incentive Awards - Measurement Period Ended February 10, 2025
On February 11, 2022 , the Compensation Committee granted long-term incentive compensation awards for 2022 ("2022 LTI Awards"). The 2022 LTI Awards were comprised of both performance-based and time-based vesting equity awards. The 2022 LTI Awards were weighted, in terms of grant date fair value, approximately one-half performance-based and one-half time-based for each of the NEOs.
The performance-based awards, which are granted in LTIP Units, are eligible to be earned based on (i) our absolute TSR (331โ3% of the performance-based awards) and our TSR relative to a peer group (331โ3% of the
40
performance-based awards) over the three-year measurement period from February 11, 2022 through February 10, 2025 , and (ii) our absolute FFO as Adjusted per share growth percentage ("FFO Growth %") (331โ3% of the performance-based awards) over the three-year measurement period from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024 .
Listed below are the threshold, target and maximum numbers of LTIP Units that may be earned at the conclusion of the performance period and the actual LTIP Units earned by each NEO:
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
Threshold
Units
|
โ
|
โ
|
Units
|
โ
|
โ
|
Maximum
Units
|
โ
|
โ
|
Total Units
Earned(1)
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
49,279
|
โ
|
โ
|
98,560
|
โ
|
โ
|
197,122
|
โ
|
โ
|
173,361
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
11,443
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,887
|
โ
|
โ
|
45,777
|
โ
|
โ
|
40,256
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
5,626
|
โ
|
โ
|
11,255
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,513
|
โ
|
โ
|
19,756
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
50% of these units vested on
|
2023 Long-Term Incentive Awards
On February 10, 2023 , the Compensation Committee granted long-term incentive compensation awards for 2023 ("2023 LTI Awards"). The 2023 LTI Awards were comprised of both performance-based and time-based vesting equity awards. The 2024 LTI Awards were weighted, in terms of grant date fair value, approximately one-half performance-based and one-half time-based for each of the NEOs.
Overall, the Compensation Committee established the amounts of the 2023 LTI Awards to be granted to each of the NEOs based on the anticipated grant date fair values of the awards, its review of peer group data and its view of appropriate award amounts in light of each of our executive's roles, responsibilities and experience, its desire to offer competitive compensation including an appropriate mix of cash and equity compensation, and our existing commitments to the NEOs in our agreements with them.
The performance-based awards, which are granted in LTIP Units, are eligible to be earned based on (i) our absolute TSR (25% of the performance-based awards) and our TSR relative to a peer group (25% of the performance-based awards) over the three-year measurement period from February 10, 2023 through February 9, 2026 , and (ii) our same-property NOI ("SP NOI") growth relative to a peer group (25% of the performance-based award) and our FFO as Adjusted per share growth percentage relative to a peer group ("FFO Growth %") (25% of the performance-based awards) over the three-year measurement period from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025 .
Listed below are the threshold, target and maximum numbers of LTIP Units that each NEO is eligible to eaat the conclusion of the performance period and the grant date fair value of the performance-based 2023 LTI Awards that we granted to each NEO:
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
Threshold
Units(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Units
|
โ
|
โ
|
Maximum
Units(2)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Grant Date
Value
($)(3)
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
60,764
|
โ
|
โ
|
121,531
|
โ
|
โ
|
243,065
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,094,339
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
18,126
|
โ
|
โ
|
36,254
|
โ
|
โ
|
72,512
|
โ
|
โ
|
624,801
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
14,501
|
โ
|
โ
|
29,003
|
โ
|
โ
|
58,009
|
โ
|
โ
|
499,831
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
5,073
|
โ
|
โ
|
10,149
|
โ
|
โ
|
20,302
|
โ
|
โ
|
174,939
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
Represents the number of units earned if the minimum threshold for the performance-based 2023 LTI Awards is met (50% of the
|
(2)
|
Represents the maximum number of units earned if the maximum performance thresholds are met (200% of the
|
(3)
|
Represents the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718.
|
The following tables set forth the threshold, target and maximum performance levels, and the number of LTIP Units earned at each level, for the absolute TSR, relative TSR, relative SP NOI and FFO Growth % components of the performance-based 2023 LTI Awards. None of the LTIP Units will be earned for a particular component if performance for that component is below threshold. The number of LTIP Units that are earned if performance is between threshold and target or target and maximum will be determined based on linear interpolation between the percentages earned at the applicable levels. In addition, if our absolute
41
TSR for the performance period is negative, then no more than 100% (i.e., the number of Target Units) may be earned under the relative TSR component. Further, if our Net Debt-to-EBITDA ratio exceeds 8x, then no more than 100% (i.e., the number of Target Units) may be earned under the FFO Growth % component.
Absolute TSR Component (25% of the performance-based 2023 LTI Awards)
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Performance Level
|
โ
|
โ
|
Absolute TSR
|
โ
|
โ
|
% of
|
Threshold
|
โ
|
โ
|
12%
|
โ
|
โ
|
50%
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
21%
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
Maximum
|
โ
|
โ
|
30% or higher
|
โ
|
โ
|
200%
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Relative TSR Component (25% of the performance-based 2023 LTI Awards)
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Performance Level
|
โ
|
โ
|
Relative TSR
|
โ
|
โ
|
% of
|
Threshold
|
โ
|
โ
|
35th Percentile
|
โ
|
โ
|
50%
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
55th Percentile
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
Maximum
|
โ
|
โ
|
75th Percentile or higher
|
โ
|
โ
|
200%
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Relative SP NOI Growth Component (25% of the performance-based 2023 LTI Awards)
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Performance Level
|
โ
|
โ
|
Relative TSR
|
โ
|
โ
|
% of
|
Threshold
|
โ
|
โ
|
35th Percentile
|
โ
|
โ
|
50%
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
55th Percentile
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
Maximum
|
โ
|
โ
|
75th Percentile or higher
|
โ
|
โ
|
200%
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
FFO Growth % Component (25% of the performance-based 2023 LTI Awards)
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Performance Level
|
โ
|
โ
|
Annualized FFO Growth %
|
โ
|
โ
|
% of
|
Threshold
|
โ
|
โ
|
1%
|
โ
|
โ
|
50%
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
3.5%
|
โ
|
โ
|
100%
|
Maximum
|
โ
|
โ
|
6% or higher
|
โ
|
โ
|
200%
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
If the designated performance objectives are achieved, the LTIP Units earned under the performance-based 2023 LTI Awards will also be subject to vesting based on continued employment with the Company through February 9, 2028 , with 50% of the LTIP Units earned vesting on the date the Compensation Committee determines the amount earned following the conclusion of the performance period, and 25% vesting on each of February 10, 2027 and February 10, 2028 .
During the performance measurement period, recipients of the performance-based 2023 LTI Awards will receive distributions on the maximum number of LTIP Units that could be earned at one-tenth of the dividend rate otherwise payable to the Company's shareholders. To the extent LTIP Units are earned, the recipients are entitled to receive the excess amount of distributions that would have been received, above the amount of distributions actually received on all of the LTIP Units subject to the recipient's performance-based 2023 LTI Award, if the LTIP Units that were earned had been entitled to receive full distributions since the beginning of the performance period, which may be paid either in additional LTIP Units valued on the ex-dividend date for each distribution as if such distributions had been reinvested contemporaneously or in cash.
Benefits and Perquisites
We provide our NEOs with perquisites that we believe are reasonable and in line with the prevailing competitive market. In the case of Mr. Langer , these perquisites include supplemental life, disability and similar insurance premiums not to exceed $30,000 in any calendar year. Additionally, due to the location of our corporate offices in New York City and the extensive business-related travel requirements of our NEOs, we provide certain of our NEOs with the use of a Company car. Executives using a Company car reimburse the Company for any personal usage of it.
42
LTIP Units
For many of our equity-based compensation awards, in lieu of issuing restricted Common Shares or restricted share units, we issue LTIP Units. LTIP Units are a separate class of units of limited partnership interest in UELP and are similar to Common Units, which generally are economically equivalent to Common Shares, except that LTIP Units are structured in a manner that is intended to enable them to qualify as "profits interests" for U.S. federal income tax purposes under current federal income tax law. LTIP Units generally only have value, other than with respect to the right to receive distributions, to the extent that they receive special allocations of book gain for tax purposes. An LTIP Unit generally is entitled to receive special allocations of book gain to the extent it represents an increase in the net value of the assets of UELP between the issuance of such LTIP Unit (or, to the extent specifically provided otherwise, one or more subsequent dates) and the date of a subsequent book-up event for partnership tax purposes. If LTIP Units receive sufficient special allocations of this book gain, the LTIP Units will achieve full parity with Common Units. If such parity is achieved, the LTIP Units may be converted, subject to the satisfaction of applicable vesting conditions, on a one-for-one basis into Common Units, which in tuare redeemable by the holder for cash or, at our election, on a one-for-one basis into Common Shares. Except for LTIP Units that remain subject to vesting based on the achievement of performance-based vesting hurdles, LTIP Units, whether vested or unvested, entitle the holder to receive distributions from UELP equal on a per unit basis to the per-share distributions paid to the holders of Common Shares.
LTIP Units are intended to offer recipients substantially the same long-term incentive as restricted Common Shares, with more favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment available for "profits interests" under current federal income tax law. We believe that the use of LTIP Units has (i) enhanced our equity-based compensation package overall, (ii) advanced the goal of promoting long-term equity ownership by the NEOs, (iii) not adversely impacted dilution as compared to restricted Common Shares, and (iv) further aligned the interests of the NEOs with the interests of our shareholders. We also believe that these benefits outweigh the loss of the U.S. federal income tax business-expense deduction from the issuance of LTIP Units, as compared to restricted Common Shares.
Governance Policies Relating to Compensation
Equity Ownership Guidelines
To further foster the strong ownership culture among our senior executive management team, and to ensure the continued direct alignment of management and shareholder interests in line with emerging corporate governance trends, we have adopted executive equity ownership guidelines requiring that our Chairman and CEO, CFO and COO maintain a minimum ownership level of Common Shares or related Company equity. The equity ownership requirements (comprised of Common Shares and certain securities convertible into or redeemable for Common Shares) for our executives are as follows:
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Title
|
โ
|
โ
|
Multiple
|
Chairman and CEO
|
โ
|
โ
|
5x Base Salary
|
CFO
|
โ
|
โ
|
3x Base Salary
|
COO
|
โ
|
โ
|
3x Base Salary
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
These executive officers have until the end of the fifth full calendar year after becoming an executive officer to satisfy the ownership requirement. All of them currently satisfy the guidelines.
Clawback Policy
On October 19, 2023 , we adopted a policy for recoupment of incentive compensation (the "Clawback Policy") in compliance with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, final SEC rules and applicable Nasdaq listing standards (the "final clawback rules"), which covers our current and former executive officers, including all of our named executive officers. Under the Clawback Policy, in the event that we are required to prepare a restatement of our previously issued financial statements due to our material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under securities laws, we are required to recover (subject to certain limited exceptions described in the Clawback Policy and permitted under the final clawback rules) any cash or equity incentive-based compensation received by any current or former executive officer after the effective date of the Clawback Policy and in the three years prior
43
to the date we are required to restate our financial statements that is in excess of the amount that would have been received based on the restated financial statements. In addition, under our Clawback Policy, in the event that we are required to restate our financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under securities laws, we must use reasonable efforts to recover (i) any cash or equity incentive compensation received by any other current or former employee of the Company in the three years prior to the date we are required to restate our financial statements that is in excess of the amount that would have been received based on the restated financial statements if we determine that the employee committed certain acts or omissions that materially contributed to the circumstances requiring the restatement and (ii) up to 100% of the cash and equity incentive compensation received by any current or former employee in the three years prior to the date we are required to restate our financial statements if we determine that the employee committed certain acts or omissions that materially contributed to the circumstances requiring the restatement. The Compensation Recovery Policy has been filed as Exhibit 97.1 to Urban Edge Properties' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 . At no time during or after the year ended December 31, 2024 , was the Company required to prepare an accounting restatement that required recovery of erroneously awarded compensation pursuant to the Compensation Recovery Policy, nor was there, on December 31, 2024 , an outstanding balance of erroneously awarded compensation to be recovered from the application of the policy to a prior restatement.
Policy on Hedging and Pledging of Company Securities
Our trustees, executive officers, certain financial reporting personnel designated by the compliance officer, and any other individuals designated by the compliance officer based on their access to material nonpublic information about the Company may not (i) buy or sell puts, calls, other derivative securities of the Company or any derivative securities that provide the economic equivalent of ownership of any of the Company's securities or an opportunity, direct or indirect, to profit from any change in the value of the Company's securities or engage in any other hedging transaction with respect to the Company's securities and (ii) pledge Company securities as collateral for a loan (or modify an existing pledge).
Insider Trading Policy
We have adopted an insider trading policy that governs transactions in our securities by our trustees, officers and employees, and the Company itself (the "Insider Trading Policy"). We believe that the Insider Trading Policy is designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules, and regulations, and listing standards applicable to us.
44
2024 Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the 2024, 2023 and 2022 compensation earned by, or granted to, each of our NEOs:
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
Year
|
โ
|
โ
|
Salary
($)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Bonus
($)(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Stock
Awards
($)(2)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(3)
|
โ
|
โ
|
All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Total
($)
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
|
โ
|
โ
|
2024
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,100,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
6,783,242
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,212,881
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
10,118,623
|
โ
|
2023
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,100,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
4,189,334
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,333,788
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
7,645,622
|
||
โ
|
2022
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,092,308
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
3,939,010
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,564,933
|
โ
|
โ
|
20,250
|
โ
|
โ
|
6,616,501
|
||
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
|
โ
|
โ
|
2024
|
โ
|
โ
|
625,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,399,032
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,016,513
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
4,063,045
|
โ
|
2023
|
โ
|
โ
|
588,942
|
โ
|
โ
|
50,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,249,792
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,049,219
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,258
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,960,211
|
||
โ
|
2022
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
โ
|
โ
|
2024
|
โ
|
โ
|
622,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,156,062
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,008,648
|
โ
|
โ
|
55,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
3,841,710
|
โ
|
2023
|
โ
|
โ
|
619,192
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
999,821
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,066,341
|
โ
|
โ
|
55,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,740,354
|
||
โ
|
2022
|
โ
|
โ
|
603,750
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
914,738
|
โ
|
โ
|
645,006
|
โ
|
โ
|
52,750
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,216,244
|
||
Robert C. Milton III
Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary
|
โ
|
โ
|
2024
|
โ
|
โ
|
433,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,032,651
|
โ
|
โ
|
612,441
|
โ
|
โ
|
25,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,103,092
|
โ
|
2023
|
โ
|
โ
|
431,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
349,929
|
โ
|
โ
|
634,074
|
โ
|
โ
|
25,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,440,003
|
||
โ
|
2022
|
โ
|
โ
|
416,923
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
449,860
|
โ
|
โ
|
417,200
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,750
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,306,733
|
||
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
Represents a discretionary bonus amount paid to
|
(2)
|
The amounts listed do not represent the actual amounts paid in cash to or value realized by the NEOs. The valuation is based on the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Where applicable, in accordance with applicable
|
(3)
|
The amounts listed in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column represent amounts earned under the STI Program for the applicable year. The 2022 STI Program amounts were paid 100% in cash. In 2023 and 2024, officers of the Company were permitted to elect to receive all or a portion of their 2023 and 2024 STI Program entitlements in unvested LTIP Units, with any LTIP Unit received matched by the Company on a one-for-one basis under the 2023 STI Program and with a 20% match under the 2024 STI Program (see "Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Alignment of Interest Awards"). Each NEO elected to receive 100% of both their 2023 and 2024 STI Program entitlements in LTIP Units. Had they elected to receive such amounts 100% in cash, the cash amounts would have been as reported in the table above. The grant date of the LTIP Units, together with those matched by the Company, was
|
(4)
|
The following table sets forth 2024 other compensation earned by or granted to each of our NEOs:
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
Reimbursement
for Benefit
Expenses Not
Covered
($)(b)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Matching
401(k)
Contribution
($)
|
โ
|
โ
|
HSA
Contribution
($)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Total
($)
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,500
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,500
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
30,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
55,000
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
25,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(a)
|
The Company provided
|
(b)
|
The figure here represents the sum of the cost of
|
45
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2024
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to each plan-based award to our NEOs made in 2024. All of the equity awards set forth in the table below were granted under the 2015 Omnibus Share Plan. If the Company were to grant any stock options in the future, the Company would endeavor not to make any such grants at times when there may be material nonpublic information concerning the Company which might affect the market price of the Company's common stock. Similarly, it is our practice not to time the release of material nonpublic information based on equity award grant dates or for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation.
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||||||||||||
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Estimated Future
Payouts Under Equity
Incentive Plan Award(2)
|
โ
|
โ
|
All other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
stock or
units
(#)(3)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
Awards
($)(4)
|
||||||||||||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
Grant
Date
|
โ
|
โ
|
Threshold
($)
|
โ
|
โ
|
($)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Maximum
($)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Threshold
(#)
|
โ
|
โ
|
(#)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Maximum
(#)
|
โ
|
|||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
143,265
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,333,788
|
||||||
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
136,586
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,224,470
|
||||||||
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
59,544
|
โ
|
โ
|
119,093
|
โ
|
โ
|
238,189
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,224,470
|
||||||
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
605,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,210,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,420,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||||||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
64,409
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,049,219
|
||||||
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
41,925
|
โ
|
โ
|
674,993
|
||||||||
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
18,063
|
โ
|
โ
|
36,129
|
โ
|
โ
|
72,258
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
674,829
|
||||||
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
312,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
625,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,093,750
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||||||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
65,460
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,066,341
|
||||||
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
33,843
|
โ
|
โ
|
544,872
|
||||||||
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
14,581
|
โ
|
โ
|
29,163
|
โ
|
โ
|
58,330
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
544,860
|
||||||
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
311,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
622,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,088,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||||||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
38,924
|
โ
|
โ
|
634,074
|
||||||
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
12,380
|
โ
|
โ
|
199,318
|
||||||||
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
5,333
|
โ
|
โ
|
10,667
|
โ
|
โ
|
21,335
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
199,263
|
||||||
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
216,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
433,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
649,500
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||||||||
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
The dollar amounts presented in these columns represent awards at threshold,
|
(2)
|
The unit amounts presented in these columns represent the performance-based 2024 LTI Awards at threshold,
|
(3)
|
On
|
(4)
|
The amounts presented in this column represent the full grant date fair value of equity awards (calculated pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718).
|
46
Options Exercises and Stock Vested in 2024
The following table sets forth, for each of our NEOs, the number and value of Common Shares and LTIP Units that vested during 2024.
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||||||
โ
|
โ
|
Option Awards(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Stock Awards
|
|||||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
Number of Shares
Acquired
on Exercise
(#)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Value Realized on
Exercise
($)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Number of Shares
Acquired
on Vesting
(#)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Value Realized on
Vesting
($)(2)
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
233,136
|
โ
|
โ
|
522,093
|
โ
|
โ
|
173,718
|
โ
|
โ
|
3,052,381
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
14,619
|
โ
|
โ
|
258,172
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
93,962
|
โ
|
โ
|
286,483
|
โ
|
โ
|
45,826
|
โ
|
โ
|
807,446
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
14,662
|
โ
|
โ
|
258,405
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
In 2024, Messrs. Olson and Langer exercised the number of options shown above in net settlement transactions receiving cash equal to the Value Realized on Exercise shown above.
|
(2)
|
Computed by multiplying the number of shares or LTIP Units that vested by the average of the high and low price of our Common Shares on the date of vesting.
|
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2024 Fiscal Year End
The following table provides information on outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2024 for each NEO:
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||||||||||||||||||
โ
|
โ
|
Option Awards
|
โ
|
โ
|
Stock Awards
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
|
โ
|
โ
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
|
โ
|
โ
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
โ
|
โ
|
Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Market Value
of Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units, or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
(#)(2)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares, Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
($)(1)
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
97,656
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
28.36
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|||||
โ
|
140,056
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
23.52
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|||||||
โ
|
2,092,137
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
23.90
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|||||||
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ528,123(3)
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ11,354,645
|
โ
|
โ
|
547,086(4)
|
โ
|
โ
|
11,762,349
|
||||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ135,574(3)
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ2,914,841
|
โ
|
โ
|
105,280(4)
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,263,520
|
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
39,603
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
28.36
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|||||
โ
|
56,657
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
23.52
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|||||||
โ
|
127,551
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
23.52
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|||||||
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ143,508(3)
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ3,085,422
|
โ
|
โ
|
130,381 (4)
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,803,192
|
||||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ66,813(3)
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ1,436,480
|
โ
|
โ
|
52,795(4)
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,135,093
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
Value based on number of shares or units multiplied by
|
(2)
|
The awards under the column entitled "Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested" are awards of LTIP Units that remained subject to performance-based vesting conditions and were granted as 2024 LTI Awards, 2023 LTI Awards, and 2022 LTI Awards. These LTIP Units do not have any value unless specified performance criteria are met and specified criteria for converting and/or redeeming the LTIP Units for Common Shares are also met. As of
|
47
(3)
|
The number of shares or units of stock that have not vested are comprised of the following:
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
2021
Time-
Based
LTI
Award(a)
|
โ
|
โ
|
2021
Performance
Awards
Earned(b)
|
โ
|
โ
|
2022
Time-
Based
LTI
Award(c)
|
โ
|
โ
|
2023
Time-
Based
LTI
Award(d)
|
โ
|
โ
|
2023
Matching
Award(e)
|
โ
|
โ
|
2024
Time-
Based
LTI
Award(f)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Total
|
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
32,208
|
โ
|
โ
|
45,650
|
โ
|
โ
|
60,541
|
โ
|
โ
|
108,963
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ143,265
|
โ
|
โ
|
136,586
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ528,123
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
29,240
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ64,409
|
โ
|
โ
|
41,925
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ135,574
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
11,288
|
โ
|
โ
|
9,525
|
โ
|
โ
|
23,392
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ65,460
|
โ
|
โ
|
33,843
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ143,508
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,638
|
โ
|
โ
|
4,685
|
โ
|
โ
|
8,186
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ38,924
|
โ
|
โ
|
12,380
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ66,813
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(a)
|
Represents unvested LTIP Units granted as time-based 2021 LTI Awards scheduled to vest for
|
(b)
|
Represents earned but unvested performance-based LTIP Units granted as part of the 2021 long-term incentive program, the measurement period for which ended
|
(c)
|
Represents unvested LTIP Units granted as time-based 2022 LTI Awards scheduled to vest, for
|
(d)
|
Represents unvested LTIP Units granted as time-based 2023 LTI Awards scheduled to vest, for
|
(e)
|
Represents unvested LTIP Units granted under the 2023 STI Program scheduled to vest, for Messrs. Olson, Mooallem, Langer and Milton, in equal installments on
|
(f)
|
Represents unvested LTIP Units granted as time-based 2024 LTI Awards scheduled to vest, for
|
(4)
|
Reflects performance-based LTIP Unit awards under our three outstanding long-term incentive programs for which the performance periods had not ended as of December 31, 2024. If our performance for the three-year measurement period applicable to these LTIP Units continued to be the same as we experienced from the beginning of the applicable three-year measurement period through December 31, 2024, we would eavarying amounts under each component of each program. Accordingly, pursuant to
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
2022 LTI
Awards
(Performance
- Based)(a)
|
โ
|
โ
|
2023 LTI
Awards
(Performance-
Based)(b)
|
โ
|
โ
|
2024 LTI
Awards
(Performance-
Based)(c)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Total
|
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
197,122
|
โ
|
โ
|
175,548
|
โ
|
โ
|
174,416
|
โ
|
โ
|
547,086
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
--
|
โ
|
โ
|
52,368
|
โ
|
โ
|
52,912
|
โ
|
โ
|
105,280
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
45,777
|
โ
|
โ
|
41,894
|
โ
|
โ
|
42,710
|
โ
|
โ
|
130,381
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,513
|
โ
|
โ
|
14,660
|
โ
|
โ
|
15,622
|
โ
|
โ
|
52,795
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(a)
|
Represents unearned LTIP Units awarded as performance-based 2022 LTI Awards. These LTIP Units are subject to performance-based vesting based on the achievement of (i) absolute and relative TSR performance criteria over a three-year measurement period ending February 10, 2025, and (ii) the Company's FFO as Adjusted growth rate over the three-year measurement period ending December 31, 2024. Earned LTIP Units would be subject to vesting based on continued employment, with 50% scheduled to vest on the date performance-based earning is determined and 25% scheduled to vest on each of February 10, 2026 and February 10, 2027, subject to continued employment through such dates. See "2022 Long-Term Incentive Awards" for more information.
|
(b)
|
Represents unearned LTIP Units awarded as performance-based 2023 LTI Awards. These LTIP Units are subject to performance-based vesting based on the achievement of (i) absolute and relative TSR performance criteria over a three-year measurement period ending February 9, 2026, and (ii) the Company's FFO as Adjusted growth rate and relative same property NOI growth rate over the three-year measurement period ending December 31, 2025. Earned LTIP Units would be subject to vesting based on continued employment, with 50% scheduled to vest on the date performance-based earning is determined and 25% scheduled to vest on each of February 9, 2027 and February 9, 2028, subject to continued employment through such dates. See "2023 Long-Term Incentive Awards" for more information.
|
(c)
|
Represents unearned LTIP Units awarded as performance-based 2023 LTI Awards. These LTIP Units are subject to performance-based vesting based on the achievement of (i) absolute and relative TSR performance criteria over a three-year measurement period ending February 9, 2026, and (ii) the Company's FFO as Adjusted growth rate and relative
|
48
same property NOI growth rate over the three-year measurement period ending December 31, 2025. Earned LTIP Units would be subject to vesting based on continued employment, with 50% scheduled to vest on the date performance-based earning is determined and 25% scheduled to vest on each of February 9, 2027 and February 9, 2028, subject to continued employment through such dates. See "2023 Long-Term Incentive Awards" for more information.
Employment Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or a Corporate Transaction/Change in Control
Each of our NEOs serves at the pleasure of our Board. The disclosure below describes the terms of the current employment agreements, retention agreements and offer letters, as applicable, that we have with our NEOs, including certain compensation that may become payable to Messrs. Olson, Mooallem, Langer and Milton as a result of a qualifying termination of employment based on these agreements. In addition, the following disclosure describes the impact of a qualifying termination of employment, a corporate transaction or a change in control under the terms of the equity awards held by each of our NEOs.
Olson Employment Agreement
On June 28, 2024, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Olson , the Company's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, which replaced the employment agreement, dated August 6, 2019, between Mr. Olson and the Company that had an initial term scheduled to expire or automatically renew on September 1, 2024. The initial term for the new employment agreement extends until September 1, 2027, with automatic one-year renewals thereafter unless either party provides the other party at least 90 days' prior notice of nonrenewal.
The employment agreement provides that Mr. Olson will be entitled to an annual base salary of not less than $1,100,000 and eligible to receive an annual bonus with a target amount equal to 110% of his annual base salary, payable in cash by March 15 of the year immediately following the applicable fiscal year. The form, terms and conditions of the annual bonus to be paid to Mr. Olson may be modified by the Compensation Committee (including to provide for payment in whole or in part in the form of equity awards in respect of common shares of the Company or in the form of LTIP Units) only with the prior written consent of Mr. Olson . The Company will have the discretion to establish the structure and performance targets for Mr. Olson's annual bonus and determine the amount earned each year. Mr. Olson also will be entitled to receive annual equity grants for each year under the Company's long-term incentive compensation plans, beginning with 2025, with a value at target performance levels of no less than $4,450,000. The Company also agrees to provide Mr. Olson with a car and driver for use in connection with his performance of duties for the Company.
The employment agreement generally provides Mr. Olson with the same level of termination payments and benefits as existed under Mr. Olson's prior employment agreement with the Company.
On any termination of Mr. Olson's employment, Mr. Olson will be entitled to payment of any earned, but unpaid, base salary and annual bonus and accrued and unpaid vacation pay, and any compensation and benefits due to Mr. Olson under the terms of any other plan or program. If Mr. Olson's employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by Mr. Olson for good reason (in each case, as defined in the employment agreement), subject to Mr. Olson's execution of a release, Mr. Olson will be entitled to (1) a lump sum payment of the Severance Amount, (2) a Pro Rata Bonus paid at the time bonuses are otherwise paid, (3) the Medical Benefits, and (4) vesting of all outstanding unvested equity awards that are subject to vesting based solely on continued employment. For purposes of Mr. Olson's employment agreement:
โข
|
"Severance Amount" equals two times the sum of
|
โข
|
"Pro Rata Bonus" equals (i) if such termination is a Qualifying CIC Termination, the greater of
|
49
Termination, the annual bonus earned in the year of termination based on actual performance with respect to the Company's performance goals and deeming any individual performance goals to be achieved at the target level, in each case, prorated based on the portion of the year that had elapsed through the date of termination.
โข
|
"Medical Benefits" require the Company to provide
|
If Mr. Olson's employment is terminated due to death or disability, and, in the case of termination of employment due to disability, subject to Mr. Olson's execution of a release, Mr. Olson will be entitled to vesting of the unvested portion of the option award granted on February 17, 2015 and it will remain exercisable for one year following termination (or, if earlier, for the remainder of the term).
In the event that payments or benefits owed to Mr. Olson constitute "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, such payments or benefits will be reduced to an amount that does not result in the imposition of such excise tax, but only if such reduction results in Mr. Olson receiving a higher net-after-tax amount than he would have absent such reduction.
"Cause" generally means Mr. Olson's (1) conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony; (2) willful and continued failure to use reasonable best efforts to substantially perform his duties (other than such failure resulting from Mr. Olson's incapacity due to physical or mental illness or after Mr. Olson's notice of termination for good reason) that Mr. Olson fails to remedy to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company within 30 days after the Company's written notice of such failure; or (3) willful misconduct that is or may reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the reputation or interests of the Company.
Mooallem Employment Agreement
On October 18, 2022, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Jeffrey S. Mooallem in connection with his appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. The employment agreement became effective January 9, 2023 and has a term of four years and one day from the date thereof.
The employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of not less than $625,000 and a target annual cash bonus of 100% of annual base salary. Mr. Mooallem also will be entitled to receive annual equity grants for each year, beginning with 2023, with a value at target performance levels equal to $1,250,000, of which (x) 50% will be time-based LTIP Units subject to annual vesting (ratably on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date) based solely on continued employment with the Company and (y) 50% will be performance LTIP Units subject to a three-year measurement period, 50% of which shall vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, 25% of which shall vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date and
50
25% of which shall vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date, in each case, based on such criteria as may be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which may include, without limitation, achievement of one or more performance-based hurdles based on the Company's operating performance or other metrics selected by the Company.
On any termination of Mr. Mooallem's employment, Mr. Mooallem will be entitled to payment of any earned, but unpaid, base salary and annual bonus and accrued and unpaid vacation pay, and any compensation and benefits due to Mr. Mooallem under the terms of any other plan or program. On a termination of Mr. Mooallem's employment by the Company without cause or by Mr. Mooallem for good reason, subject to Mr. Mooallem's execution of a release, Mr. Mooallem will be entitled to (1) a lump sum payment of the Severance Amount, (2) a Pro Rata Bonus paid at the time bonuses are otherwise paid, (3) the Medical Benefits and (4) vesting of all outstanding unvested equity awards that are subject to vesting based solely on continued employment. For purposes of Mr. Mooallem's employment agreement:
โข
|
"Severance Amount" equals 1.5 times
|
โข
|
"Pro Rata Bonus" equals a pro rata portion of
|
โข
|
"Medical Benefits" require the Company to provide
|
If Mr. Mooallem's employment is terminated upon or after the expiration of the employment period, Mr. Mooallem will be entitled, subject to Mr. Mooallem's execution of a release, to vesting of all outstanding unvested equity awards that are subject to vesting based solely on continued employment and a pro-rated annual bonus for the year of termination.
In the event that payments or benefits owed to Mr. Mooallem constitute "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, such payments or benefits will be reduced to an amount that does not result in the imposition of such excise tax, but only if such reduction results in Mr. Mooallem receiving a higher net-after-tax amount than he would have absent such reduction.
"Cause" generally means Mr. Mooallem's (1) conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony; (2) willful and continued failure to use reasonable best efforts to substantially perform his duties (other than such failure resulting from Mr. Mooallem's incapacity due to physical or mental illness or after Mr. Mooallem's notice of termination for good reason) that Mr. Mooallem's fails to remedy to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company within 30 days after the Company's written notice of such failure; (3) willful misconduct that is or may reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the reputation or interests of the Company or (4) failure to maintain his primary residence in the New York City metropolitan area.
51
which will be deemed to include, but shall not be limited to, (a) the failure of a successor to the Company to assume this Agreement in accordance with Section 12(a), and (b) a material change in the Executive's reporting relationship such that Executive no longer reports to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Langer Retention Agreement
October 18, 2019, the Company entered into a retention agreement with Mr. Langer , the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, which replaces in its entirety the employment agreement, dated February 4, 2015, between Mr. Langer and the Company, that was in a one-year renewal period scheduled to expire or automatically renew on July 1, 2020. The retention agreement has no fixed term.
The retention agreement sets forth Mr. Langer's then current title, duties, compensation and additional benefits, and provides that these may be modified by the Company at any time in its sole and absolute discretion, subject to Mr. Langer's right to terminate the retention agreement for good reason, as described below.
On any termination of Mr. Langer's employment, Mr. Langer will be entitled to payment of any earned, but unpaid, base salary and annual bonus and accrued and unpaid vacation pay, and any compensation and benefits due to Mr. Langer under the terms of any other plan or program. If Mr. Langer's employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by Mr. Langer for good reason (in each case, as defined in the retention agreement), subject to Mr. Langer's execution of a release, Mr. Langer will be entitled to (1) a lump sum payment of the Severance Amount, (2) a Pro Rata Bonus paid at the time bonuses are otherwise paid, (3) the Medical Benefits, and (4) vesting of all outstanding unvested equity awards that are subject to vesting based solely on continued employment. For purposes of Mr. Langer's retention agreement:
โข
|
"Severance Amount" equals 1.5 times the sum of
|
โข
|
"Pro Rata Bonus" equals (i) on a Qualifying CIC Termination, the greater of
|
โข
|
"Medical Benefits" require the Company to provide
|
On a termination of Mr. Langer's employment due to death or disability, and, in the case of termination of employment due to disability, subject to Mr. Langer's execution of a release, Mr. Langer will be entitled to vesting of the unvested portion of the option award granted on April 20, 2015 and it will remain exercisable for one year following termination (or, if earlier, for the remainder of the term).
In the event that payments or benefits owed to Mr. Langer constitute "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, such payments or benefits will be reduced to an amount that does not result in the imposition of such excise tax, but only if such reduction results in Mr. Langer receiving a higher net-after-tax amount than he would have absent such reduction.
"Cause" generally means Mr. Langer's (1) conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony; (2) willful and continued failure to use reasonable best efforts to substantially perform his duties (other than such failure resulting from Mr. Langer's incapacity due to physical or mental illness or after Mr. Langer's
52
notice of termination for good reason) that Mr. Langer fails to remedy to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company within 30 days after the Company's written notice of such failure; or (3) willful misconduct that is or may reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the reputation or interests of the Company.
On January 4, 2016, Mr. Robert C. Milton III was appointed to the position of Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company pursuant to an offer letter entered into on December 11, 2015. Mr. Milton's offer letter provides for an annualized salary of $350,000 and a target annual bonus of $350,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 paid 50% in cash and 50% in shares of restricted stock that vest ratably over three years.
On a termination of Mr. Milton's employment by the Company solely in connection with a change of control of the Company, Mr. Milton will receive severance of two times the sum of his current base salary and targeted bonus. However, Mr. Milton's severance is governed by the Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan so long as it is in effect (see "Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan" beginning on page 55.
Equity Awards
Pursuant to the terms of the applicable award agreements entered into with our NEOs relating to restricted LTIP Units that are subject to vesting based solely on continued employment, all outstanding unvested LTIP Units held by each of our NEOs will fully vest in the event such NEO's employment is terminated by us without cause or by the NEO for good reason within 24 months of a change in control or as a result of the NEO's death. Pursuant to the terms of the applicable award agreements entered into with our NEOs relating to options to purchase Common Shares, all outstanding options held by each of our NEOs will fully vest in the event such NEO's employment is terminated by us without cause or by the NEO for good reason within 24 months of a change in control or as a result of the NEO's retirement on or after attainment of age 65, death or disability and the options will continue to be exercisable following termination for up to one year in the event of a termination due to qualifying retirement, death or disability and up to 60 days in the event of any other termination, other than a termination for cause (but in no event beyond the expiration of the term of the option).
With respect to the performance-based LTIP Units that we granted to our NEOs under as part of the 2022 LTI Awards, 2023 LTI Awards and 2024 LTI Awards, pursuant to the terms of the applicable award agreements, in the event of a change in control prior to the end of the applicable three-year measurement period, we will determine the award earned by the NEOs based on our performance through the date of the change in control measured against pro-rated hurdles. The LTIP Units earned will remain subject to vesting based on continued employment in the same manner as would have applied in the absence of a change in control (i.e., one-half of the LTIP Units that are earned will vest on the date the Compensation Committee determined the amount earned and the remainder will vest in equal installments on the fourth and fifth anniversaries of the beginning of the three-year measurement period), except that all of an NEO's LTIP Units that are earned will vest if the NEO's employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by the NEO for good reason within 18 months following the change in control or if the LTIP Units that are earned do not remain outstanding following the change in control. In addition, any LTIP Units earned prior to a change in control will fully vest if the NEO's employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by the NEO for good reason within 18 months following the change in control.
53
In the event of a qualified termination of an NEO prior to the end of the three-year measurement period for the performance-based 2022 LTI Awards, the performance-based 2023 LTI Awards or the performance-based 2024 LTI Awards, the NEO will be entitled to retain his LTIP Units subject to the same performance-based vesting conditions as applied prior to such termination; provided that the number of LTIP Units earned will be prorated based upon the portion of the three-year measurement period that elapsed from the first day of such period through the date of the qualified termination. Any LTIP Units subsequently earned will be fully vested, but, other than in the case of a termination upon death or disability, the NEO will not have the right to transfer the LTIP Units until the dates on which they would have vested if the qualified termination had not occurred. In the event of a qualified termination of an NEO after the end of the three-year measurement period, any LTIP Units earned by such NEO will fully vest; provided that, other than in the case of a termination upon death or disability, the NEO will not have the right to transfer the LTIP Units until the dates on which they would have vested if the qualified termination had not occurred. The term qualified termination is defined in the award agreements for the performance-based 2022 LTI Awards, the performance-based 2023 LTI Awards and performance-based 2024 LTI Awards to mean the termination of employment with us as a result of the NEO's death, disability or, after the first anniversary of the beginning of the three-year measurement period, a termination by us without cause or such NEO's resignation for good reason.
In each case, the terms cause, good reason and change in control are specifically defined in the applicable award agreements.
The following table sets forth potential payments and benefits that would have been provided to our NEOs upon the occurrence of a change in control or certain termination triggering events, assuming such change in control or terminating event occurred on December 31, 2024.
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
Salary and Cash
Bonus
(Multiple)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Salary and Cash
Bonus
($)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Health
Benefits
($)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Vesting of Equity
Awards
($)(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
Total
($)
|
Termination by Urban Edge Properties Without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason
|
|||||||||||||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
2x
|
โ
|
โ
|
6,832,881
|
โ
|
โ
|
180,944
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ14,434,842
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ21,448,667
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
1.5x
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,891,513
|
โ
|
โ
|
19,974
|
โ
|
โ
|
4,299,635
|
โ
|
โ
|
7,211,122
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
1.5x
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,874,648
|
โ
|
โ
|
47,648
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ4,492,812
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ7,415,108
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
1.0x
|
โ
|
โ
|
866,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
47,648
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ2,273,346
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ3,186,994
|
Death
|
|||||||||||||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
n/a
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ14,434,842
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ14,434,842
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
n/a
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ4,299,635
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ4,299,635
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
n/a
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ4,492,812
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ4,492,812
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
n/a
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ2,273,346
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ2,273,346
|
Change in Control without Termination(2)
|
|||||||||||||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
n/a
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
5,881,175
|
โ
|
โ
|
5,881,175
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
n/a
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,131,760
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,131,760
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
n/a
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,140,596
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,140,596
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
n/a
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
567,546
|
โ
|
โ
|
567,546
|
Termination Following Change in Control(2)
|
|||||||||||||||
|
โ
|
โ
|
3x
|
โ
|
โ
|
9,142,881
|
โ
|
โ
|
180,944
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ26,197,191
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ35,521,016
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
2.5x
|
โ
|
โ
|
4,141,513
|
โ
|
โ
|
39,946
|
โ
|
โ
|
6,563,155
|
โ
|
โ
|
10,744,614
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
2.5x
|
โ
|
โ
|
4,118,648
|
โ
|
โ
|
95,295
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ7,296,004
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ11,509,947
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
1.5x
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,299,000
|
โ
|
โ
|
71,471
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ3,408,438
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ4,778,909
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
LTIP Units and Common Shares that would have vested are valued based on the closing price of the Common Shares on the last business day of 2024, December 31, 2024, which was $21.50. The value of the options to purchase Common Shares is calculated as the difference between the closing price of the Common Shares on December 31, 2024 and the exercise price of the options. No amounts were included for the performance-based 2022 LTI Awards, the performance-based 2023 LTI Awards, or the performance-based 2024 LTI Awards under "Termination by Urban Edge Properties Without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason" or "Qualifying Death or Disability" as the earning of any such awards would remain subject to the achievement of the performance-based vesting hurdles through the end of the applicable three-year measurement period. Amounts under "Change in Control" for the performance-based 2022 LTI Awards, the performance-based 2023 LTI Awards or the performance-based 2024 LTI Awards reflect the amount that would vest upon the change in control (i.e., 50% of the amount earned based on achievement of the performance-based vesting conditions) and does not include the portion of the award that would remain subject to vesting based on continued employment.
|
54
(2)
|
In the event that any payments and benefits to be paid or provided to Messrs. Olson, Mooallem or Langer would be subject to "parachute payment" excise taxes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, such NEO's payments and benefits will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid such excise taxes, but only if such a reduction of pay or benefits would result in a greater after-tax benefit to such NEO.
|
Employee Retirement Plan
The Company does not maintain a retirement plan other than a 401(k) plan.
Deferred Compensation
The Company does not currently sponsor or operate any deferred compensation programs.
Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan
On February 11, 2022, the Compensation Committee approved and adopted an Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan (the "Plan") for the benefit of certain of the Company's executive officers and other eligible employees that the Compensation Committee may designate from time to time (the "Participants"). Mr. Milton is a participant in the Plan (Messrs. Olson, Mooallem and Langer have severance benefits governed by the terms of their existing agreements with the Company).
Under the Plan, in the event that a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for cause or death or disability, such Participant shall be entitled to (i) a lump sum payment equal to the product of (A) a severance multiple of either 1.0 (or such lesser multiple as may be agreed for non-executive officers), as specified in the letter agreement provided to each Participant upon qualification for the Plan, and (B) the sum of the Participant's annual base salary and most recent target annual cash performance bonus, (ii) continuing coverage under the Company's group medical, dental and vision plans as would have applied if the Participant remained employed for a number of years equal to the applicable severance multiple (at such cost to the Participant as would have applied in the absence of such termination), and (iii) full acceleration of time-base based equity awards held by the Participant and any accelerated vesting of equity awards with performance-based vesting to occur in accordance with the terms of the applicable award agreement. In addition, if such termination occurs within three months prior to, or within 12 months following, a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), the relevant severance multiple will be 1.5 (or such lesser multiple as may be agreed for non-executive officers), as specified in the letter agreement provided to each Participant upon qualification for the Plan.
In the event that a Participant's employment is terminated on account of his or her death or disability, such Participant (or the Participant's estate or beneficiaries) shall be entitled to, among other things, full acceleration of time-based equity awards held by the Participant and any equity awards with performance-based vesting to remain outstanding and earned in accordance with the terms based on performance but without further vesting based on service. Additionally, in the event that a Participant's employment is terminated on account of his or her disability, such Participant shall be entitled to receive any compensation and/or benefits as may be due or payable to such Participant in accordance with the terms and provisions of any employee benefit plans or programs of Urban Edge.
As a condition to participation in the Plan, each Participant must enter into a letter agreement with the Company in the form attached as an exhibit to the Plan, which, among other things, contains restrictive covenants in favor of the Company, including confidentiality, intellectual property, non-disparagement, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants. Participants must generally also execute, deliver and not revoke a general release of claims in favor of the Company in order to receive benefits.
The foregoing is a summary of the Plan and should be read in conjunction with the full text of the Plan, which is attached as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Pay Ratio Disclosure
Pursuant to a mandate of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the SEC adopted a rule requiring annual disclosure of the ratio of the median employee's annual total compensation to the annual total compensation of the principal executive officer. Our principal executive officer is Mr. Olson , our chief executive officer.
55
We consider the pay ratio specified below to be a reasonable estimate, calculated in a manner that is intended to be consistent with the requirements of applicable SEC rules. For 2024, our last completed fiscal year:
โข
|
the annual total compensation of the employee who represents our median compensated employee (other than our chief executive officer) based on W-2 gross pay was $121,498; and
|
โข
|
the annual total compensation of
|
As a result, the ratio of Mr. Olson's compensation to that of our median compensated employee was 83:1.
Determining the Median Employee
We used our employee population data as of December 31, 2024 as the reference date for identifying our median employee. As of such date, our employee population consisted of 109 full-time employees.
To identify the median employee from our employee population, we selected base salary and bonus, as reflected in our payroll records as reported to the Internal Revenue Service on Form W-2 for 2024, as the most appropriate measure of compensation, which was consistently applied to all of our employees included in the calculation. In identifying the median employee, we annualized the compensation of all full-time employees who were new hires in 2024 and on leave of absence in 2024.
56
Pay Versus Performance Disclosure
As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing information about the relationship between executive compensation actually paid to our PEO and the other NEOs (as calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K) and certain financial performance measures. For additional information on our compensation programs and philosophy and how we design our compensation programs to align pay with performance, see the section titled "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" on page 31.
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Year
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Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
PEO
($)(1)
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Compensation
Actually Paid
to PEO
($)(1)
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Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
other NEOs
($)(2)
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Average
Compensation
Actually Paid
to other NEOs
($)(2)
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Value of Initial Fixed
$100 Investment
Based On:
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Net
Income
(in millions)
($)(4)
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FFO as
Adjusted
/ Share
($)(5)
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Company
TSR
($)
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Peer
Group
TSR
($)(3)
|
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|||||||||||||||||||
2024
|
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|
โ
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10,118,623
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โ
|
โ
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15,236,442
|
โ
|
โ
|
3,335,949
|
โ
|
โ
|
4,406,774
|
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|
โ
|
136.71
|
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|
115.03
|
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75.4
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1.35
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2023
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|
โ
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7,645,622
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โ
|
โ
|
12,640,012
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โ
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โ
|
2,380,189
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โ
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โ
|
2,949,313
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โ
|
112.34
|
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|
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|
98.30
|
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|
โ
|
259.9
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โ
|
โ
|
1.25
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2022
|
โ
|
โ
|
6,616,501
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โ
|
โ
|
1,438,290
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,255,103
|
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|
โ
|
1,022,607
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|
83.11
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|
89.16
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47.3
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โ
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1.21
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2021
|
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|
โ
|
6,830,104
|
โ
|
โ
|
8,566,102
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,010,966
|
โ
|
โ
|
3,110,209
|
โ
|
โ
|
107.66
|
โ
|
โ
|
98.78
|
โ
|
โ
|
107.8
|
โ
|
โ
|
1.09
|
2020
|
โ
|
โ
|
6,149,061
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โ
|
โ
|
3,762,837
|
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|
โ
|
2,136,036
|
โ
|
โ
|
583,667
|
โ
|
โ
|
70.98
|
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|
โ
|
68.63
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โ
|
97.8
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|
0.88
|
(1)
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โ
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โ
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โ
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โ
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โ
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โ
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โ
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Adjustments to Determine Compensation "Actually Paid" for PEO
|
โ
|
โ
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2024
|
โ
|
โ
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2023
|
โ
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โ
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2022
|
โ
|
โ
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2021
|
โ
|
โ
|
2020
|
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|
Deduction for Amounts Reported under the "Stock Awards" Column in the SCT
|
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|
โ
|
$(6,783,242)
|
โ
|
โ
|
$(4,189,334)
|
โ
|
โ
|
$(3,939,010)
|
โ
|
โ
|
$(3,699,999)
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โ
|
โ
|
$(4,005,254)
|
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|
Increase for Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that Remain Unvested as of Year end
|
โ
|
โ
|
8,978,580
|
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|
โ
|
5,325,609
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,641,983
|
โ
|
โ
|
4,507,329
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,920,790
|
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|
Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior Year-end to current Year-end of Awards Granted Prior to year that were Outstanding and Unvested as of Year-end
|
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|
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|
2,870,973
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โ
|
โ
|
3,412,049
|
โ
|
โ
|
(4,145,858)
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|
โ
|
423,532
|
โ
|
โ
|
(998,121)
|
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|
Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from Prior Year-end to Vesting Date of Awards Granted Prior to year that Vested during year
|
โ
|
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|
(322,084)
|
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|
โ
|
194,717
|
โ
|
โ
|
36,635
|
โ
|
โ
|
326,533
|
โ
|
โ
|
(451,835)
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|
Increase based on Dividends or other Earnings Paid During Year prior to Vesting Date of Award
|
โ
|
โ
|
373,593
|
โ
|
โ
|
251,348
|
โ
|
โ
|
228,039
|
โ
|
โ
|
178,603
|
โ
|
โ
|
148,196
|
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|
Total Adjustments
|
โ
|
โ
|
$5,117,820
|
โ
|
โ
|
$4,994,389
|
โ
|
โ
|
$(5,178,211)
|
โ
|
โ
|
$1,735,998
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โ
|
โ
|
$(2,386,224)
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(2)
|
Our other NEOs are Messrs. Langer, Mooallem and Milton for 2023 and 2024. For 2022, 2021 and 2022, our NEOs are Messrs. Langer, Weilminster, Eilberg and Milton, and for 2020 only, also include
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Adjustments to Determine Compensation "Actually Paid" for Non-PEOs (Average)
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|
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2024
|
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2023
|
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2022
|
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|
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|
2021
|
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|
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|
2020
|
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|
Deduction for Amounts Reported under the "Stock Awards" Column in the SCT
|
โ
|
โ
|
$(1,862,582)
|
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|
โ
|
$(866,514)
|
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|
โ
|
$(903,503)
|
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|
โ
|
$(756,940)
|
โ
|
โ
|
$(1,042,067)
|
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|
Increase for Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that Remain Unvested as of Year end
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,455,226
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โ
|
โ
|
1,030,058
|
โ
|
โ
|
228,632
|
โ
|
โ
|
923,437
|
โ
|
โ
|
491,467
|
โ
|
Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior Year-end to current Year-end of Awards Granted Prior to year that were Outstanding and Unvested as of Year-end
|
โ
|
โ
|
437,009
|
โ
|
โ
|
346,669
|
โ
|
โ
|
(313,879)
|
โ
|
โ
|
547,345
|
โ
|
โ
|
(407,979)
|
โ
|
Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from Prior Year-end to Vesting Date of Awards Granted Prior to year that Vested during year
|
โ
|
โ
|
(38,810)
|
โ
|
โ
|
23,947
|
โ
|
โ
|
(292,808)
|
โ
|
โ
|
334,083
|
โ
|
โ
|
(652,790)
|
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|
Increase based on Dividends or other Earnings Paid During Year prior to Vesting Date of Award
|
โ
|
โ
|
79,981
|
โ
|
โ
|
34,964
|
โ
|
โ
|
49,062
|
โ
|
โ
|
51,318
|
โ
|
โ
|
59,000
|
โ
|
Total Adjustments
|
โ
|
โ
|
$1,070,824
|
โ
|
โ
|
$569,124
|
โ
|
โ
|
$(1,232,496)
|
โ
|
โ
|
$1,099,243
|
โ
|
โ
|
$(1,552,369)
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(3)
|
Peer group is the Dow Jones US Real Estate Strip Centers index.
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57
(4)
|
The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of net income reflected in the Company's audited financial statements for the applicable fiscal year.
|
(5)
|
The Company has identified FFO as Adjusted (per share) as the most important additional financial metric used to link pay and performance, for our company selected measure. While we consider numerous financial and non-financial performance measures for the purpose of evaluating and determining executive compensation, we consider FFO as Adjusted (per share), to be the most important performance measure used by to link compensation actually paid to the NEOs for fiscal year 2024 to Company performance. Our short-term incentive programs include FFO as Adjusted as the most heavily weighted metric (that impacts annual cash pay out to executive officers) based on our absolute level of FFO as Adjusted achieved for the year and, in 2024, 25% of the performance-based portion of 2024 long-term incentive plan pays out based on the three year growth rate of our FFO as Adjusted growth rate. FFO as Adjusted is a non-GAAP financial measure-please see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" beginning on page 63 for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. We consider FFO as Adjusted a meaningful and relevant measure in determining our operating performance.
|
Relationship to Compensation Actually Paid
The following charts show the relationship of the compensation actually paid to our CEO and the average compensation actually paid to our other NEOs as compared to our GAAP reported net income and our FFO as Adjusted (per share).
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58
Tabular List of Performance Measures
The following table includes financial performance measures that the Company determines are its most important financial measures for 2024 and how they were used in the executive compensation program:
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Financial Performance Measures Used in our
Short-Term Incentive Program
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Financial Performance Measures Used in our
Long-Term Incentive Program
|
FFO as Adjusted (per share)
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Absolute TSR
|
Same-Property NOI Growth (%)
|
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TSR (relative to a peer group)
|
Development/Redevelopment: Pipeline Deliveries (in $ millions)
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โ
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FFO as Adjusted (per share) growth percentage (relative to a peer group)
|
Shop Lease Executions (in $ millions)
|
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โ
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Same-Property NOI Growth
(relative to a peer group) |
Balance Sheet Management (1 - 5 scale)
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Please see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis on pages 31 for more information on these measures and how they are taken into account in determining compensation for each of our NEOs.
59
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
โ
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Company, has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K of the SEC with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the proxy statement and incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
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60
PROPOSAL 3
NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE ON NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION โ
โ
Section 14A(a)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), generally requires each public company to include in its proxy statement a separate resolution subject to a non-binding advisory shareholder vote to approve the compensation of the company's named executive officers, as disclosed in its proxy statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, not less frequently than once every three years. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 14A(a)(1) of the Exchange Act, we are providing our shareholders an opportunity to indicate whether they support our compensation program for our named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement by voting for or against the resolution that appears below. This vote, commonly referred to as "say on pay," is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but instead relates to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the tabular disclosures regarding named executive officer compensation, and the narrative disclosure accompanying the tabular presentation. We believe that it is appropriate to seek the views of our shareholders on the design and effectiveness of our executive compensation program. Although the vote on this resolution is advisory in nature and, therefore, will not bind us to take any particular action, our Compensation Committee, which is responsible for designing and administering our executive compensation program, values the opinions expressed by shareholders in their vote and will carefully consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers. At our 2022 annual meeting of shareholders, our shareholders voted on, among other matters, a proposal regarding the frequency of holding a non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers. A majority of the votes cast on the frequency proposal were cast in favor of holding a non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of the Company's named executive officers every year, which was consistent with the recommendation of the Board. The Board considered the voting results with respect to the frequency proposal as well as other factors, and currently intends for the Company to hold a non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of the Company's named executive officers every year until the next required advisory vote on the frequency of holding the non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, which will occur not later than the 2028 annual meeting of shareholders.
Our executive compensation program is designed to encourage high performance, promote accountability and motivate our executives to achieve our business objectives while aligning their interests with those of our shareholders. To achieve these goals, significant portions of targeted compensation may only be earned upon achievement of specific performance goals and are delivered in the form of equity. Base salary is the only type of compensation awarded to our named executive officers that is fixed and not subject to any time or performance-based vesting.
We believe that the compensation paid to our named executive officers should be closely aligned with our performance on both a short-term and long-term basis. As such, our executive compensation program includes incentive-based elements where the remuneration realized by each executive varies based on Company performance. For long-term incentive compensation, we grant a combination of time and performance vesting equity-based awards. The performance-based units vest only upon achievement of goals tied to the absolute and relative performance of our Common Shares, FFO as Adjusted growth and same-property NOI growth over a three-year performance period. We believe equity-based awards that vest over multiple years ensures that the majority of each executive's compensation opportunity is tied to our shareholders, with emphasis on share price appreciation and dividend growth, for the executives to realize value.
Prior to voting on this proposal, shareholders are encouraged to read the section entitled "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" beginning on page 31 of this Proxy Statement, which describes in more detail our executive compensation program and the compensation decisions made by our Compensation Committee
61
in 2024. For the reasons discussed above, we believe our compensation program for our named executive officers is instrumental in helping us achieve our operational and financial goals. Accordingly, we believe that our compensation program should be endorsed by our shareholders, and we are asking our shareholders to vote "FOR" the following resolution:
"RESOLVED, that the shareholders hereby approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and the related narrative executive compensation disclosure contained in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission."
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THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE
APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
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62
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS โ
โ
We review all relationships and transactions in which we and our significant shareholders, Trustees and our executive officers or their respective immediate family members are participants (including transactions required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K) to determine whether such persons have a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction. Our policy (as set forth in our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics) is to determine whether such persons have a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction. In determining whether such an interest exists, we apply the standards set forth in Item 404 of Regulation S-K, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Our legal and financial staff is primarily responsible for the development and implementation of processes and controls to obtain information from our significant shareholders, Trustees and our executive officers with respect to related person transactions and for then determining, based on the facts and circumstances, whether we or a related person has a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction. As required under SEC rules, transactions that are determined to be directly or indirectly material to the Company or a related person are disclosed in this Schedule 14A. We also disclose transactions or categories of transactions we consider in determining that a Trustee is independent.
In addition, our Audit Committee and/or our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee reviews and, if appropriate, approves or ratifies any related person transaction that is required to be disclosed. These committees, in the course of their review of a disclosable related-party transaction, consider: (1) the nature of the related person's interest in the transaction; (2) the material terms of the transaction; (3) the importance of the transaction to the related person; (4) the importance of the transaction to the Company; (5) whether the transaction would impair the judgment of a Trustee or executive officer to act in the best interest of the Company; and (6) any other matters these committees deem appropriate.
We have had no related person transactions in 2024, other than compensation arrangements which are described under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" and "Compensation of Trustees."
OTHER BUSINESS โ
โ
The Board has no knowledge of any other matter to be submitted at the Annual Meeting. Should any other matter properly come before the Annual Meeting, including a question of adjourning or postponing the Annual Meeting, named proxies will have discretionary authority to vote the shares represented in accordance with their best judgment.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES โ
โ
The Company uses certain non-GAAP performance measures, in addition to the primary GAAP presentations, as we believe these measures improve the understanding of the Company's operational results. We continually evaluate the usefulness, relevance, limitations, and calculation of our reported non-GAAP performance measures to determine how best to provide relevant information to the investing public, and thus such reported measures are subject to change. The Company's non-GAAP performance measures have limitations as they do not include all items of income and expense that affect operations, and accordingly, should always be considered as supplemental financial results. Additionally, the Company's computation of non-GAAP metrics may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP metrics reported by other real estate investment trusts ("REITs") or real estate companies that define these metrics differently and, as a result, it is important to understand the manner in which the Company defines and calculates each of its non-GAAP metrics. The following non-GAAP measures are commonly used by the Company and investing public to understand and evaluate our operating results and performance:
โข
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FFO: The Company believes FFO is a useful, supplemental measure of its operating performance that is a recognized metric used extensively by the real estate industry and, in particular REITs. FFO, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("Nareit") and the Company, is net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of depreciable real estate and land when connected to the main business of a REIT, impairments on depreciable real estate or land related to a REIT's main business, earnings from consolidated partially owned entities and rental property depreciation and amortization expense.
|
63
The Company believes that financial analysts, investors and shareholders are better served by the presentation of comparable period operating results generated from FFO primarily because it excludes the assumption that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably. FFO does not represent cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, should not be considered an alternative to net income as an indication of our performance, and is not indicative of cash flow as a measure of liquidity or our ability to make cash distributions.
โข
|
FFO as Adjusted: The Company provides disclosure of FFO as Adjusted because it believes it is a useful supplemental measure of its core operating performance that facilitates comparability of historical financial periods. FFO as Adjusted is calculated by making certain adjustments to FFO to account for items the Company does not believe are representative of ongoing core operating results, including non-comparable revenues and expenses. The Company's method of calculating FFO as Adjusted may be different from methods used by other REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other REITs.
|
โข
|
NOI: The Company uses NOI internally to make investment and capital allocation decisions and to compare the unlevered performance of our properties to our peers. The Company believes NOI is useful to investors as a performance measure because, when compared across periods, NOI reflects the impact on operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs and acquisition and disposition activity on an unleveraged basis, providing perspective not immediately apparent from net income. The Company calculates NOI using net income as defined by GAAP reflecting only those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level, adjusted for non-cash rental income and expense, impairments on depreciable real estate or land, and income or expenses that we do not believe are representative of ongoing operating results, if any. In addition, the Company uses NOI margin, calculated as NOI divided by total property revenue, which the Company believes is useful to investors for similar reasons.
|
โข
|
Same-property NOI: The Company provides disclosure of NOI on a same-property basis, which includes the results of properties that were owned and operated for the entirety of the reporting periods being compared, which total 65 properties for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Information provided on a same-property basis excludes properties under development, redevelopment or that involve anchor repositioning where a substantial portion of the gross leasable area ("GLA") is taken out of service and also excludes properties acquired, sold, or that are in the foreclosure process during the periods being compared. As such, same-property NOI assists in eliminating disparities in net income due to the development, redevelopment, acquisition, disposition, or foreclosure of properties during the periods presented, and thus provides a more consistent performance measure for the comparison of the operating performance of the Company's properties. While there is judgment surrounding changes in designations, a property is removed from the same-property pool when it is designated as a redevelopment property because it is undergoing significant renovation or retenanting pursuant to a formal plan that is expected to have a significant impact on its operating income. A development or redevelopment property is moved back to the same-property pool once a substantial portion of the NOI growth expected from the development or redevelopment is reflected in both the current and comparable prior year period, generally one year after at least 80% of the expected NOI from the project is realized on a cash basis. Acquisitions are moved into the same-property pool once we have owned the property for the entirety of the comparable periods and the property is not under significant development or redevelopment. The Company has also provided disclosure of NOI on a same-property basis adjusted to include redevelopment properties. Same-property NOI may include other adjustments as detailed in the Reconciliation of Net Income to NOI and same-property NOI included in the tables accompanying this proxy statement.
|
The Company believes net income is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to the non-GAAP performance measures outlined above. Reconciliations of these measures to net income have been provided in the tables that follow.
64
Reconciliation of Net Income to FFO and FFO as Adjusted
The following table reflects the reconciliation of net income to FFO and FFO as Adjusted for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Net income is considered the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
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Year Ended December 31,
|
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(in thousands, except per share amounts)
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2024
|
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2023
|
Net income
|
โ
|
โ
|
$75,442
|
โ
|
โ
|
$259,876
|
Less net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in:
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||
Operating partnership
|
โ
|
โ
|
(3,978)
|
โ
|
โ
|
(11,899)
|
Consolidated subsidiaries
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,099
|
โ
|
โ
|
520
|
Net income attributable to common shareholders
|
โ
|
โ
|
72,563
|
โ
|
โ
|
248,497
|
Adjustments:
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||
Rental property depreciation and amortization
|
โ
|
โ
|
149,009
|
โ
|
โ
|
107,695
|
Limited partnership interests in operating partnership
|
โ
|
โ
|
3,978
|
โ
|
โ
|
11,899
|
Gain on sale of real estate
|
โ
|
โ
|
(38,818)
|
โ
|
โ
|
(217,708)
|
Real estate impairment loss(2)
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
34,055
|
FFO Applicable to diluted common shareholders
|
โ
|
โ
|
186,732
|
โ
|
โ
|
184,438
|
FFO per diluted common share(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
1.48
|
โ
|
โ
|
1.51
|
Adjustments to FFO:
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||
Transaction, severance and litigation expenses
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,402
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,039
|
Gain on extinguishment of debt(3)
|
โ
|
โ
|
(21,423)
|
โ
|
โ
|
(41,144)
|
Tax impact of Shops at Caguas debt refinancing
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
16,302
|
Impact of property in foreclosure(4)
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,276
|
โ
|
โ
|
3,060
|
Termination fees and non-cash adjustments(5)
|
โ
|
โ
|
848
|
โ
|
โ
|
(847)
|
Income tax refund related to prior periods
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
(684)
|
Tenant bankruptcy settlement income
|
โ
|
โ
|
(115)
|
โ
|
โ
|
(114)
|
Litigation settlement income
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
(10,000)
|
FFO as Adjusted applicable to diluted common shareholders
|
โ
|
โ
|
$169,720
|
โ
|
โ
|
$153,050
|
FFO as Adjusted per diluted common share(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
$1.35
|
โ
|
โ
|
$1.25
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|||
Weighted Average diluted common shares(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
126,095
|
โ
|
โ
|
122,064
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
Weighted average diluted shares used to calculate FFO per share and FFO as Adjusted per share for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are higher than the GAAP weighted average diluted shares as a result of the dilutive impact of LTIP and OP units which may be redeemed for our common shares.
|
(2)
|
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized an impairment charge reducing the carrying value of Kingswood Center, an office and retail property located in
|
(3)
|
The gain on extinguishment of debt for the year ended December 31, 2024 relates to the mortgage debt forgiven in the foreclosure settlement of Kingswood Center.
|
(4)
|
In April 2023, the Company notified the lender of its mortgage secured by Kingswood Center that the cash flows generated by the property are insufficient to cover the debt service and that the Company is unwilling to fund future shortfalls. As such, the Company defaulted on the loan and adjusted for the default interest incurred for the second quarter of 2023. In the third quarter of 2023, the Company determined it was appropriate to exclude the operating results of Kingswood Center from FFO as Adjusted as the property was in the foreclosure process. In June of 2024, the foreclosure process was completed and the lender took possession of the property.
|
(5)
|
Includes the acceleration and write-off of lease intangibles related to tenant bankruptcies and terminations, net of termination payments, and write-offs and reinstatements of receivables arising from the straight-lining of rents for tenants moved to and from the cash basis of accounting.
|
65
Reconciliation of Net Income to NOI and Same-Property NOI
The following table reflects the reconciliation of net income to NOI, same-property NOI and same-property NOI including properties in redevelopment for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Net income is considered the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
|||
โ
|
โ
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
||||
(Amounts in thousands)
|
โ
|
โ
|
2024
|
โ
|
โ
|
2023
|
Net income
|
โ
|
โ
|
$75,442
|
โ
|
โ
|
$259,876
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
โ
|
โ
|
150,389
|
โ
|
โ
|
108,979
|
Interest and debt expense
|
โ
|
โ
|
81,587
|
โ
|
โ
|
74,945
|
General and administrative expense
|
โ
|
โ
|
37,474
|
โ
|
โ
|
37,070
|
Gain on extinguishment of debt
|
โ
|
โ
|
(21,423)
|
โ
|
โ
|
(41,144)
|
Real estate impairment loss
|
โ
|
โ
|
-
|
โ
|
โ
|
34,055
|
Income tax expense
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,386
|
โ
|
โ
|
17,800
|
Interest income
|
โ
|
โ
|
(2,667)
|
โ
|
โ
|
(3,037)
|
Non-cash revenue and expenses
|
โ
|
โ
|
(11,999)
|
โ
|
โ
|
(11,610)
|
Other expense (income)
|
โ
|
โ
|
897
|
โ
|
โ
|
(9,097)
|
Gain on sale of real estate
|
โ
|
โ
|
(38,818)
|
โ
|
โ
|
(217,708)
|
NOI
|
โ
|
โ
|
273,268
|
โ
|
โ
|
250,129
|
Adjustments:
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
||
Sunrise Mall net operating loss
|
โ
|
โ
|
1,733
|
โ
|
โ
|
2,427
|
Tenant bankruptcy settlement income and lease termination income
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1,762)
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1,428)
|
Non-same property NOI and other(1)
|
โ
|
โ
|
(56,403)
|
โ
|
โ
|
(43,287)
|
Same-property NOI
|
โ
|
โ
|
$216,836
|
โ
|
โ
|
$207,841
|
NOI related to properties being redeveloped
|
โ
|
โ
|
22,668
|
โ
|
โ
|
20,017
|
Same-property NOI including properties in redevelopment
|
โ
|
โ
|
$239,504
|
โ
|
โ
|
$227,858
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
(1)
|
Non-same property NOI includes NOI related to properties being redeveloped and properties acquired, disposed, or that are in the foreclosure process during the periods being compared.
|
66
ADDITIONAL MATTERS
โ
Financial Statements
A copy of our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, is being furnished to shareholders concurrently herewith.
Delivery of Proxy Materials to Households
Under the rules of the SEC and Maryland law, we are permitted to use a method of delivery for proxy materials referred to as "householding." Householding permits us to mail a single set of proxy materials to any household in which two or more different shareholders reside and are members of the same household, or where one shareholder has multiple accounts. If we household proxy materials, then only one copy of our annual report and proxy statement will be sent to multiple shareholders who share the same address and last name, unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of those shareholders. In addition, we have been notified that certain intermediaries (i.e., brokers, banks or other nominees) will household proxy materials for the Annual Meeting. For voting purposes, a separate proxy card will be included for each account at the shared address. We will deliver promptly, upon oral or written request, a separate copy of the annual report and proxy statement to any shareholder residing at the same address. If you wish to receive a separate copy of the annual report and proxy statement, or future annual reports and proxy statements, then you may contact our Investor Relations Department by: (a) mail at Urban Edge Properties , Attention: Investor Relations , 12 East 49th Street, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10017, (b) telephone at (212) 956-0082, or (c) e-mail at rmilton@uedge.com. You can also contact your broker, bank or other nominee to make a similar request. Shareholders sharing an address who now receive multiple copies of our annual report and proxy statement may request delivery of a single copy by contacting us as indicated above, or by contacting their broker, bank or other nominee, provided that such broker, bank or other nominee has elected to household proxy materials.
67
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2026 ANNUAL MEETING
โ
Shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders must be received by our Secretary at our principal executive offices no later than November 28, 2025 in order to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement relating to the 2026 annual meeting of our shareholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act ("Rule 14a-8"). Shareholder proposals received after November 28, 2025 will be considered untimely under our Bylaws. While the Board will consider shareholder proposals, we reserve the right to omit from our annual proxy statement shareholder proposals that we are not required to include under the Exchange Act, including Rule 14a-8.
Our Bylaws currently provide that, in order for a shareholder to nominate a candidate for election as a Trustee or a shareholder to propose other business to be presented at our 2026 annual meeting of shareholders, other than a shareholder proposal included in our Proxy Statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8, notice of such nomination or proposal must be delivered to our Secretary at our executive office not earlier than October 29, 2025 and no later than 5:00 p.m., EasteTime, on November 28, 2025, except that, if the 2026 annual meeting of our shareholders is originally scheduled for a date that is before April 7, 2026 or after June 6, 2026, notice must be delivered no earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of the 2026 annual meeting of our shareholders and not later than 5:00 p.m., EasteTime on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders, as originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting will not extend or restart any time period for giving such a notice. Any such notice or proposal should be mailed to Urban Edge Properties , 12 East 49th Street, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10017, Attention: Robert C. Milton III, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and must set forth information required by our Bylaws. In addition to the foregoing, shareholders that intend to solicit proxies for the Company's 2026 annual meeting of shareholders in support of trustee nominees other than the Company's nominees must provide a notice that sets forth the information required by our Bylaws and Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act.
Proxy Access
The proxy access provision of our Bylaws permits a shareholder (or a group of no more than 20 shareholders) owning at least 3% of the aggregate of issued and outstanding Common Shares continuously for at least the prior three years to nominate and include in our proxy materials trustee nominees constituting the greater of (i) two or (ii) 20% of the number of trustees in office as of the last day on which a notice requesting the inclusion of trustee nominees in our proxy materials may be timely delivered pursuant to our Bylaws, provided the nominating shareholder(s) and the nominee(s) satisfy the requirements specified in our Bylaws. In order for an eligible shareholder or group of shareholders to nominate a trustee nominee for election at the 2026 annual shareholders meeting pursuant to the proxy access provision of our Bylaws, notice of such nomination and other required information must be received in writing by the Secretary at our principal executive office not earlier than October 29, 2025 and no later than 5:00 p.m., EasteTime, on November 28, 2025, except that, if the 2026 annual meeting of our shareholders is originally scheduled for a date that is before April 7, 2026 or after June 6, 2026, notice must be delivered no earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of the 2026 annual meeting of our shareholders and not later than 5:00 p.m., EasteTime on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders, as originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders is first made. In addition, our Bylaws require the eligible shareholder or group of shareholders to update and supplement such information (or provide notice stating that there are no updates or supplements) as of specified dates. The foregoing proxy access right is subject to additional eligibility, procedural and disclosure requirements set forth in our Bylaws.
68
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
โ
Certain statements contained herein constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They represent our intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Our future results, financial condition, business and targeted occupancy may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. You can identify many of these statements by words such as "approximates," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "would," "may" or other similar expressions in this proxy statement. Many of the factors that will determine the outcome of forward-looking statements are beyond our ability to control or predict and include, among others: (i) macroeconomic conditions, including geopolitical conditions and instability, which may lead to rising inflation and disruption of, or lack of access to, the capital markets, as well as potential volatility in the Company's share price; (ii) the economic, political and social impact of, and uncertainty relating to, epidemics and pandemics; (iii) the loss or bankruptcy of major tenants; (iv) the ability and willingness of the Company's tenants to renew their leases with the Company upon expiration and the Company's ability to re-lease its properties on the same or better terms, or at all, in the event of non-renewal or in the event the Company exercises its right to replace an existing tenant; (v) the impact of e-commerce on our tenants' business; (vi) the Company's success in implementing its business strategy and its ability to identify, underwrite, finance, consummate and integrate diversifying acquisitions and investments; (vii) changes in general economic conditions or economic conditions in the markets in which the Company competes, and their effect on the Company's revenues, earnings and funding sources, and on those of its tenants; (viii) increases in the Company's borrowing costs as a result of changes in interest rates, rising inflation, and other factors; (ix) the Company's ability to pay down, refinance, hedge, restructure or extend its indebtedness as it becomes due and potential limitations on the Company's ability to borrow funds under its existing credit facility as a result of covenants relating to the Company's financial results; (x) potentially higher costs associated with the Company's development, redevelopment and anchor repositioning projects, and the Company's ability to lease the properties at projected rates; (xi) the Company's liability for environmental matters; (xii) damage to the Company's properties from catastrophic weather and other natural events, and the physical effects of climate change; (xiii) the Company's ability and willingness to maintain its qualification as a REIT in light of economic, market, legal, tax and other considerations; (xiv) information technology security breaches; (xv) the loss of key executives; and (xvi) the accuracy of methodologies and estimates regarding our environmental, social and governance (collectively, our Corporate Responsibility or "CR") metrics, goals and targets, tenant willingness and ability to collaborate towards reporting CR metrics and meeting CR goals and targets, and the impact of governmental regulation on our CR efforts. For further discussion of factors that could materially affect the outcome of our forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A, of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for any forward-looking statements included in this proxy statement. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this proxy statement. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this proxy statement.
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
By Order of the Board of Trustees,
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
||
โ
|
โ
|
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
March 28, 2025
|
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
โ
|
69
Attachments
Disclaimer
Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A)
Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A)
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News