GRANT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 10.10
Matter No. 09522
Resolution No. 10-70
THIS GRANT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made by and between the WEST PALM BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, a public body corporate and politic (the “CRA” or “Grantor”), with an address of 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000, and DIGITAL DOMAIN HOLDINGS CORPORATION, a Florida corporation (“DDH” or “Grantee”), with an address of 00000 XX Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxx Xx. Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000.
WHEREAS, Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes allows for the creation of a community redevelopment agency; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes authorizes preparation of a community redevelopment plan; and
WHEREAS, the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Plan for the Expanded City Center Area, adopted on December 16, 1985 and restated on April 9, 2009 (“Plan”), promotes economic and redevelopment activity and recognizes the necessity of attracting businesses to the redevelopment area; and
WHEREAS, the Plan identifies as a goal that the CRA, in cooperation with private development interests, shall encourage a mixture of uses and activities which facilitate and stimulate economic growth in the Downtown/City Center Redevelopment Area; and
WHEREAS, the Plan further provides that the CRA shall cooperate with the City and Palm Beach County School Board to identify additional public educational facilities and/or structures within the Downtown/City Center Redevelopment Area; and
WHEREAS, the Plan states a variety of revenue sources shall be used to finance the redevelopment and revitalization of the Downtown/City Center CRA; and
WHEREAS, these revenue sources include tax increment financing, bonds and state or federal grants; and
WHEREAS, as authorized by Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes, a community redevelopment agency can undertake and carry out community redevelopment and related activities within the community redevelopment area, which may include the disposal of any real property; and
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WHEREAS, Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes provides that when authorized or approved by resolution or ordinance of the governing body, a community redevelopment agency has power in its corporate capacity, in its discretion, to issue redevelopment revenue bonds from time to time to finance the undertaking of any community redevelopment under this part, including, the payment of principal and interest upon any advances for surveys and plans or preliminary loans, and has power to issue refunding bonds for the payment or retirement of bonds or other obligations and allows a community redevelopment agency the power to authorize the issuance of revenue bonds as set forth in Section 163.385, Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes enables a community redevelopment agency to borrow money, public or private, for the purposes of this part and to give such security as may be required and to enter into and carry out contracts or agreements in connection therewith; and
WHEREAS, moneys in the redevelopment trust fund may be expended from time to time for undertakings of a community redevelopment agency as described in the Plan including for the repayment of principal and interest or any redemption premium for loans, advances, bonds, bond anticipation notes, and any other form of indebtedness; and
WHEREAS, any county or municipality, to the greatest extent it determines to be feasible in carrying out the provisions of Section 163.345, Florida Statutes, shall afford maximum opportunity, consistent with the sound needs of the county or municipality as a whole, to the rehabilitation or redevelopment of the community redevelopment area by private enterprise; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 05-65 adopted November 7, 2005, the CRA adopted the Strategic Finance Plan to identify initiatives to attract private investment to the Xxxxxxxx/Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx; and
WHEREAS, the Strategic Finance Plan states that the City and CRA shall continue to recognize the importance of education and services provided by education partners in the community; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown/City Center CRA is established as a county wide and regional center for arts, culture and entertainment; and
WHEREAS, the property known as the “Tent Site Property” is identified in the Plan as a prominent development site and prime entryway on the corridor to the City; and
WHEREAS, the State of Florida Entertainment Industry Economic Development Xxxx, Florida House Xxxx 697, is a film incentive program which creates a film and digital media tax credit; and
WHEREAS, the Entertainment Industry Economic Development Xxxx allows the State of Florida to retain and create higher wage jobs by attracting production spending immediately, generate substantial amounts of new tax revenue, and boost ancillary businesses; and
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WHEREAS, Digital Domain Holdings Corporation (“DDH”) and Florida State University (“FSU”) approached the CRA with an economic development proposal for the Tent Site Property; and
WHEREAS, the proposal for redevelopment of the Tent Site Property includes a minimum of 150,000 square feet of digital media, film, production and educational facilities to be occupied by FSU, DDH and the Digital Domain Institute (“DDI”); and
WHEREAS, the CRA has reviewed the DDH proposal and concurs it meets the goals and objectives of the Plan by providing an educational presence and attracting a new industry to the Downtown/City Center Redevelopment Area; and
WHEREAS, Section 163.380, Florida Statutes, provides that real property owned by the CRA shall be sold or otherwise transferred at a value to be determined to be in the public interest for uses in accordance with the Plan and further provides that the CRA shall take into account and give consideration to the long-term benefits to be achieved by the CRA resulting from incurring short-term losses or costs in the disposal of such real property, the uses provided in the Plan, the restrictions upon, and the covenants, conditions and obligations assumed by the purchaser and the objectives of the Plan for the prevention of the recurrence of slum or blighted areas; and
WHEREAS, on September 15, 2010, the CRA published a Notice of Intent to Dispose of the Tent Site Property in accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapter 163, Part III (“Notice”); and
WHEREAS, no proposals were received in response to the Notice; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 10-71, the CRA has authorized execution of a Development Agreement between the CRA and DDH for the conveyance of the Tent Site Property and the financing, development, construction, operation and maintenance of the improvements (“Development Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, CRA and DDH desire to enter into an agreement setting forth the terms and conditions for a grant to DDH in the amount of Ten Million Dollars to offset a portion of the cost of the expansion of the FSU Film School in West Palm Beach (the “Grant Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, the CRA Board has conducted public meetings prior to approving this Agreement, made a finding of public purpose, and determined that approval of this Grant Agreement is in the best interests of the CRA.
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NOW THEREFORE, it is mutually covenanted and agreed by and between the parties hereto that the Agreement is made upon the terms, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE I
For all purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
“Board” means the governing body of the CRA.
“Certificate of Occupancy” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 of the Development Agreement.
“City” means the City of West Palm Beach, Florida.
“City Center Community Redevelopment Area” shall mean the area defined in the West Palm Beach Amended and Restated Community Redevelopment Plan for the Expanded City Center Area, adopted by the CRA on December 16, 1995, and restated on April 9, 2009, in accordance with Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes, as may be amended from time to time.
“Conditions Precedent” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.
“Development Agreement” shall mean the Development Agreement between the Grantor and Grantee approved by Resolution No. 10-71 and dated of even date herewith.
“DDI” shall mean the Digital Domain Institute, a wholly owned subsidiary of Digital Domain Holding Corporation and a first-of-its kind accredited educational facility offering degree programs interwoven with an industry leading technology and entertainment company.
“DRI” shall mean the Cityplace Development of Regional Impact Development adopted by the City and approved by the State Department of Community Affairs and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Commission, as amended from time to time.
“Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.09 of the Agreement.
“FSU” shall mean Florida State University.
“FSU Film School” shall mean the FSU College of Motion Picture Arts.
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“FSU Improvements” shall have the meaning set forth in the Development Agreement.
“Grant” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(b).
“Party” or “Parties” shall mean the CRA and/or Digital Domain Holdings Corporation.
“Plan” shall mean the West Palm Beach Amended and Restated Community Redevelopment Plan for the Expanded City Center Area adopted on December 16, 1985 and restated on April 9, 2009 in accordance with Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time.
“Partial Take Out Financing” shall have the meaning set forth in the Development Agreement.
“Phase I” or “Phase I Improvements” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).
“Phase II” or “Phase II Improvements” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).
“Property” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).
“Replacement Educational Tenant” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.04.
“Scholarship Program” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(a).
“Temporary Facilities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.
“Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.09.
“Vertical Construction” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.4 of the Development Agreement.
ARTICLE II
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d. Grantor reserves the right to elect to issue CRA financing for payment of the Grant. Grantee shall provide written notice to CRA at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to satisfaction of the conditions for payment of the first installment of the Grant. The Grant financing shall be structured and sold as determined by Grantor, in its sole discretion, in accordance with federal and state law.
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a.
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Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) upon the satisfaction of the following conditions: (i) FSU, Grantee and DDI shall have publicly announced their plans to locate in the City; (ii) Grantee shall have executed a Development Agreement with Grantor for the Property committing Grantee to pay Grantor loan payments in an amount equal to 100% of the debt service on the Partial Take Out Financing; (iii) Grantee shall have completed construction drawings for Phase I; (iv) Grantee shall have secured construction financing in an amount equal to 100% of the total cost to construct Phase I; (v) Grantee shall have entered into a contract with FSU to provide consulting services to Grantee for the DDI program for a term of not less than ten (10) years; (vi) Grantee shall have written commitments from FSU, DDI and DDH, or one of their affiliates, to lease a minimum of 50,000 square feet each in Phase I for a minimum term of ten (10) years commencing upon issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for Phase I; (vii) Grantee shall have begun the accreditation process for the DDI program or initiated efforts to provide DDI graduates with SACS accredited degrees; and (viii) Grantee shall have secured temporary space for DDI within the City Center Community Redevelopment Area. The conditions set forth in this Section 2.02(a) shall be satisfied on or before February 28, 2012, unless extended in accordance with subsection 2.02(g) below.
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b.
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One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) upon the satisfaction of the following conditions: (i) FSU and DDI shall have commenced classes at the Temporary Facility; (ii) Grantee shall have obtained a state license to operate DDI, developed a curriculum, hired qualified professors, advertised and promoted DDI, and DDI and FSU shall have a combined total of at least fifty (50) full time (or full time equivalent) students and full time employees at the Temporary Facility; (iii) Grantee shall have implemented, advertised and begun accepting applications for the Scholarship Program, as set forth in Section 2.03; and (iv) all permits required for Vertical Construction of the Phase I Improvements shall have been issued to Grantee. The conditions set forth in this Section 2.02(b) shall be satisfied on or before September 30, 2012, unless extended in accordance with subsection 2.02(g) below.
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c.
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Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) upon the satisfaction of the following: (i) the combined FSU and DDI programs shall have an aggregate of one hundred (100) full time or full time equivalent students enrolled pursuant to a verified enrollment report; (ii) Grantee shall have commenced Vertical Construction of the Phase I Improvements; and (iii) and (iii) Grantee shall have awarded no less than ten (10) scholarships under the Scholarship Program. The conditions set forth in this Section 2.02(c) shall be satisfied on or before December 31, 2012, unless extended in accordance with subsection 2.02(g) below.
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d.
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Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) upon satisfaction of the following conditions: (i) the combined FSU and DDI programs shall have an aggregate of two hundred fifty (250) full time or full time equivalent students pursuant to a verified enrollment report; (ii) Grantee shall have received a Certificate of Occupancy for Phase I; and (iii) DDI shall have awarded no less than ten (10) scholarships under the Scholarship Program each year since the $3,000,000 installment described in 8(c) above was received by Grantor. The conditions set forth in this Section 2.02(d) shall be satisfied on or before December 31, 2014, unless extended in accordance with subsection 2.02(g) below.
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e.
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Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) upon receipt of (i) initial accreditation for DDI as set forth in Section 2.05 herein provided that DDI can demonstrate its compliance with the standards contained in the Principals of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement; or (ii) evidence that DDI graduates will receive SACS accredited degrees.
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f.
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Upon completion of the conditions for payment of each installment, Grantee shall submit an invoice to Grantor with all back up documentation necessary to establish satisfaction of the Condition Precedent. Payments of each installment shall be made within thirty (30) days of verification by the CRA that the Condition Precedent has been satisfied.
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g.
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If requested by Grantee, Grantor may extend the times for performance set forth in subsections 2.02(a) - (e) in increments up to three (3) months, provided that Grantee is using commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy its performance obligations. Such extensions shall be set forth in amendments to the Agreement, are subject to the reasonable approval of the CRA Board and shall not exceed a collective total of twelve (12) months for all extensions authorized by Grantor. Any extensions granted by the CRA shall automatically extend any subsequent deadlines established herein.
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2.04 FSU. Grantee acknowledges that a material inducement to Grantor to enter into this Grant Agreement and the Development Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby is the commitment by Grantee to bring FSU to the City to open a branch of the FSU Film School, to offer a new major focused on emerging motion picture media and to relocate the FSU Film School’s Torchlight Program to the City Center Community Redevelopment Area. In the event that FSU should fail to locate these programs in Phase I, Grantee shall use its best efforts to secure an educational tenant, preferably from within the State of Florida, comparable to FSU in enrollment, program and reputation and reasonably acceptable to Grantor, offering a digital-based degree program (“Replacement Educational Tenant”). In the event Grantee is unable to secure a Replacement Educational Tenant, the restriction on transferring the Property set forth in Section 5.6 of the Development Agreement shall be extended from nine (9) years following the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for the Phase I Improvements to twenty (20) years following the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for the Phase I Improvements. Grantee acknowledges that FSU will, at least initially, only be able to pay a portion of rent for its leased space in the Phase I Improvements; however, Grantee hereby agrees that it shall be responsible, on FSU’s behalf, for the difference between the amount that FSU pays and market rent.
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a.
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Scholarship Program. Grantee will establish a scholarship program that will enable at least ten (10) eligible need-based students per year to attend DDI for the length of the applicable certification or degree program offered by DDI (“Scholarship Program”). Such obligation shall grow to thirty (30) students when DDI’s enrollment exceeds 500 students and to fifty (50) students when DDI’s enrollment exceeds 1,000 students. First priority to receive the scholarships shall be given to residents of the City of West Palm Beach. Grantee’s obligation to maintain the Scholarship Program shall continue in full force through December 31, 2020. Thereafter, the continued sponsorship of the Scholarship Program shall be at Grantee’s sole discretion.
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b.
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Youth Empowerment. Grantee will work with the Palm Beach County Education Commission and the School District of Palm Beach County to enhance digital media education experiences. Grantee anticipates working with programs such as the Art Development Programs at Bak Middle School, Dreyfoos High School and G-Star School of the Arts, and both the Instructional Technology and Engineering Program at Forest Hill High School. Grantee expects to assist programs like these by providing some of the following outreach activities: provide faculty to teach after-school classes; accommodate field trips to DDI and the Digital Domain production facilities; provide computers; summer day camp; summer internships for teachers; summer internships for students; mentoring; provide two (2) professionals as volunteers for the local science fair competition; and provide sponsorships for students to compete at the state, national and international level in digital media within existing film, science, robotics and SECME competitions.
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Grantee will work with the Palm Beach County Education Commission and the local schools on the specific details of these programs. Each school is unique and has specific needs and it is best to work one on one with the schools to develop a program that is well suited for the students and teachers. In addition to the arts and engineering programs identified above, Grantee will work with elementary and secondary schools within the City, as well as the City’s Youth Empowerment Centers, to promote digital media education experiences.
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c.
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Summer Internships. In addition to the internships offered to the students enrolled at DDI, Grantee will offer summer internships to students enrolled in other digital media programs across the state through an application and selection process. This will afford these students the opportunity to work on major motion picture or gaming projects.
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ARTICLE III
IN WEST PALM BEACH
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ARTICLE IV
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a.
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Grantee has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Florida and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Florida.
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b.
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Grantee has full corporate power to conduct its operations and has full corporate power to enter into this Agreement and to carry out all of the terms and conditions hereof.
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c.
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This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Grantee and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Grantee, enforceable against Grantee in accordance with its terms.
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d.
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Grantee is, and after consummation of the transaction contemplated in this Agreement, will be able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and liabilities, contingent liabilities and other commitments as they mature in the normal course of business.
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e.
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No proceeding looking toward merger, amalgamation, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of Grantee, or the sale or all or substantially all of the assets of Grantee is pending or contemplated.
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f.
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Grantee has no obligation or indebtedness that would impair its ability to fulfill the terms of this Agreement.
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g.
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No legal or governmental proceedings or investigations are pending, or, to the actual knowledge of Grantee, threatened to which Grantee is a party or to which the property of Grantee is subject except for such proceedings or investigations which would not reasonably be expected to materially impact the ability of Grantee to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
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h.
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Grantee shall not transfer or otherwise dispose of any material assets of DDH located in or associated with any of Grantee’s Florida operations for less than fair market value of those assets. This provision is not intended to prevent Grantee from making donations to the educational, cultural or not-for-profit organizations identified in this Agreement nor shall this provision prevent the sale of DDH assets for fair market value or the sale of DDH assets not located in or associated with any of Grantee’s Florida operations.
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i.
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Except as otherwise set forth herein, Grantee possesses all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, or local regulatory authorities necessary to conduct the operations contemplated in this Agreement.
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j.
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Grantee has provided to Grantor audited financial statements and disclosures; such financial statements and disclosures are true and complete in all respects and fairly represent the financial position and results of operations of Grantee in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied consistently, and no events or transactions have occurred subsequent to the date of the audited financial statements that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the audited financial statements; and there are no material liabilities or gain or loss contingencies that are required to be accrued or disclosed in the audited financial statements. Grantee acknowledges that Grantor has relied on such financial statements and disclosures in its decision to enter into this Agreement and undertake its obligations hereunder or pursuant to this Agreement.
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k.
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The financial projections provided by Grantee to Grantor accurately represent Grantee’s business intentions and are reasonable estimates of future performance based upon Grantee’s knowledge and experience about past and current events and assumptions about conditions that Grantee expects to exist and courses of action Grantee expects to take. Grantee acknowledges that Grantor has relied on such financial projections in its decision to enter into this Agreement and undertake its obligations hereunder or pursuant to this Agreement.
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a.
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Grantor is a body corporate and politic organized pursuant to Chapter 163, Florida Statutes.
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b.
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Grantor has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and carry out all the terms and provisions hereof.
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c.
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This Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action of the Board of Commissioners, executed and delivered by Grantor and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Grantor, enforceable against Grantor.
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ARTICLE V
a. Grantee shall purchase from and maintain, in a company or companies lawfully authorized to do business in Florida, such insurance as will protect Grantor and the City from claims set forth below which may arise out of or result from performance under this Agreement by Grantee, or by a subcontractor of Grantee, or by anyone directly or indirectly employed by Grantee, or by anyone for whose acts Grantee may be liable.
b. The insurance required shall be written for not less than the following limits of liability. Coverages shall be maintained without interruption from the effective date of this Agreement until date of final payment and termination of any coverage required to be maintained after final payment. Any liability coverage on claims made basis shall remain effective for five (5) years after final payment.
(1) General Liability – coverage in the minimum amounts specified below, and with a maximum deductible of $25,000 per occurrence.
General Liability
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$1,000,000 per occurrence
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$1,000,000 aggregate annually
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(2) Workers’ Compensation: Workers’ Compensation and Employer’s Liability Insurance with limits as required by Chapter 440, Florida Statutes.
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c. Certificates of Insurance shall be delivered to Grantor within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date of this Agreement. These Certificates shall contain a provision that coverages afforded under the policies will not be canceled or allowed to expire until a minimum of 10 days prior notice of cancellation for non-payment or 45 days’ prior notice of cancellation otherwise. All certificates for general liability coverages shall name Grantor and the City as Additional Insureds. If any of the foregoing insurance coverages are required to remain in force after final payment, an additional certificate evidencing continuation of such coverage shall be submitted along with the application for final payment. The Certificate of Insurance shall be dated and show the name of the insured, the Agreement by name, the name of the insurer, the number of the policy, its effective date, and its termination date.
ARTICLE VI
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a.
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Vacating, abandoning or closing all of the Temporary Facilities prior to occupancy of Phase I; vacating, abandoning or closing Phase I after occupancy; or relocating DDI outside of the City Center Community Redevelopment Agency in violation of Section 3.03. If a default occurs under this Section 6.01(a), Grantor reserves the right to pursue repayment of any funding disbursed to Grantee under the terms of this Agreement within ten (10) years after the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for Phase I.
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b.
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Failure to continuously operate Phase I, after occupancy, for a period of longer than thirty (30) days, other than as a result of a force majeure event.
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c.
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The material breach of any representation or warranty by Grantee contained in this Agreement.
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d.
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failure to observe or perform in any material respect any covenant, obligation or agreement contained herein or in the Development Agreement.
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e.
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The making by Grantee of any general assignment or general arrangement for the benefit of creditors; the filing by or against Grantee of a petition to have Grantee adjudged bankrupt or a petition for reorganization under any law relating to bankruptcy (unless, in the case of any petition filed against Grantee, such petition is dismissed within one hundred eighty (180) days after Grantee receives notice of such petition); or the appointment of a trustee or receive to take possession of all or substantially all of Grantee’s assets where such possession is not restored to Grantee within thirty (30) days of such appointment.
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ARTICLE VII
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If to Grantor:
West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
X.X. Xxx 0000
Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Executive Director
With a Copy to:
City of West Palm Beach
Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxx 0000
Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attn: City Attorney
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If to Grantee:
Digital Domain Holdings Corporation
00000 XX Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxx Xx. Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxx, CEO
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(signatures on following page)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor and Grantee have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date.
WEST PALM BEACH COMMUNITY
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REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
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By:
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/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Chair
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Date:
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11/1//2010
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Attest:
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Xxxx Xxxxx
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Deputy Secretary
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Office of CRA Counsel
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Approved as to form
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And legal sufficiency
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By:
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SVP
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Date:
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11/1/10
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DIGITAL DOMAIN HOLDINGS
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CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx
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Name:
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Xxxx Xxxxxx, CEO
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Date: | 11-1-10 |
Attest:
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Secretary
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