EXHIBIT 4(b)
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of
October 22, 2002, by and between KIMCO REALTY CORPORATION, a Maryland
corporation ("Kimco"), and WESTLAKE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, INC., a California
corporation ("Westlake").
A. Westlake is a party to that certain Contribution Agreement dated as
of August 14, 2002 (as amended, the "Contribution Agreement"), and is a Limited
Partner under that certain Agreement of Limited Partnership of Kimco Westlake
L.P. of even date herewith (the "Partnership Agreement").
B. Kimco and Westlake desire to enter into this Agreement in order to
set forth the registration obligations of Kimco with respect to those certain
shares of Kimco common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "REIT Shares"), to
be issued to Westlake and any other Qualifying Party (as defined in the
Partnership Agreement) (each, a "Holder") in connection with an Exchange (as
defined in the Partnership Agreement) under the Partnership Agreement (the REIT
Shares to be issued to the Holders, the "Registrable Shares").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
set forth herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Mandatory Registration.
(a) Primary Registration Statement. Within twelve (12) months after the
Closing Date (as defined in the Contribution Agreement), Kimco shall file with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC) a registration statement
(a "Primary Registration Statement") under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended or any successor (the "Securities Act"), covering the issuance
of the Registrable Shares to the Holders in exchange for Limited Partnership
Interests, pursuant to Article 8 of the Partnership Agreement.
(b) Resale Registration Statement. In the event that Kimco is unable to
effect the registration of the Registrable Shares under a Primary Registration
Statement, Kimco may elect to file with the SEC a registration statement (a
"Resale Registration Statement") under Rule 415 of the Securities Act covering
the resale by the Holders of the Registrable Shares received in exchange for
Limited Partnership Interests, pursuant to Article 8 of the Partnership
Agreement.
(c) Effectiveness. Kimco shall use its commercially reasonable efforts
to cause any Primary Registration Statement or Resale Registration Statement
(each, a "Registration Statement") (i) to be declared effective by the SEC as
soon as practicable after the filing thereof, and (ii) to remain continuously
effective (subject to the limitations contained herein) until the earlier of (A)
the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Closing Date; and (B) such time as all the
Registrable Shares covered by a Primary Registration Statement have been
distributed to the Holders or such time as all the Registrable Shares covered by
a Resale Registration Statement have been transferred by all the Holders in
transactions that constitute sales under the Securities Act. Thereafter, Kimco
will be entitled to withdraw and terminate the Registration Statement.
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2. Obligations of Kimco.
(a) Compliance with Securities Laws. Kimco shall take such action as
may be necessary so that (i) any Registration Statement, the related prospectus
thereto, each amendment and supplement thereto, and each report or other
document incorporated therein by reference complies in all material respects
with the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), and the respective rules and regulations thereunder; (ii) any
Registration Statement and the related prospectus thereto do not, when they
become effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in
light of the circumstances then existing; and (iii) any Registration Statement
complies with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the
disposition of all the Registrable Shares covered by such Registration
Statement.
(b) Amendments and Supplements. Kimco shall (i) prepare and file with
the SEC such amendments and supplements to any Registration Statement and the
related prospectus as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act with respect to the offer and sale of Registrable Shares; and
(ii) respond as promptly as practicable to any comments received from the SEC
with respect to any Registration Statement or any amendment thereto.
(c) Documents to be Furnished. Kimco shall furnish to each Holder such
number of copies of the related prospectus, including the preliminary
prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such
other documents as such Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the
disposition of the Registrable Shares.
(d) Blue Sky. Kimco shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
register and qualify the Registrable Shares covered by any Registration
Statement under such other securities or "Blue Sky" laws of such jurisdictions
in the United States (i) as may be necessary to effect the issuance by Kimco of
Registrable Shares to the Holders in accordance with a Primary Registration
Statement or (ii) as may reasonably be requested by any selling Holder in order
to effect the resale by such selling Holder of Registrable Shares in accordance
with a Resale Registration Statement; provided, that Kimco will not be required
in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business,
subject itself to taxation or execute a general consent to service of process in
any such states or jurisdictions where it has not already done so.
(e) Exchange Listing. Kimco shall use its commercially reasonable
efforts to cause all the Registrable Shares to be supplementally listed (subject
to official notice of issuance) on the New York Stock Exchange or any other
securities exchange on which similar securities of Kimco are then listed.
(f) Stop Orders. Kimco shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
obtain the withdrawal of any SEC order suspending the effectiveness of any
Resale Registration Statement.
(g) Notices. Kimco shall promptly notify each selling Holder of
Registrable Shares of (i) any notification received by Kimco with respect to the
issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Resale
Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose,
and (ii) any determination by Kimco to delay the filing, or suspend the
effectiveness, of the Registration Statement pursuant to Section 4(a).
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3. Obligations of Holders.
(a) General Obligations. It is a condition precedent to Kimco's
obligations under this Agreement that each Holder must have (i) agreed in
writing to be bound by all the terms and conditions of this Agreement; (ii)
promptly furnished to Kimco, in writing, such Holder's name and address; and
(iii) promptly furnished to Kimco, in writing, such other information relating
to such Holder as may be reasonably requested by Kimco or as required by
applicable securities laws to complete any Registration Statement and to effect
the registration of the Registrable Shares.
(b) Resale Registration Statement Obligations. Upon the receipt of any
notice from Kimco pursuant to Section 2(g), each selling Holder shall
immediately cease all offers and sales of Registrable Shares under any Resale
Registration Statement until such time that Kimco gives the selling Holder
written authorization to resume offers and sales under such Resale Registration
Statement. If the prospectus included in any Resale Registration Statement has
been amended to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act, no selling
Holder may make any offers or sales of Registrable Shares under such Resale
Registration Statement other than by means of such amended prospectus.
4. Delay or Suspension of Registration Statement.
(a) Delay or Suspension. Kimco may either (1) delay the filing
or effectiveness of any Registration Statement or (2) suspend any Registration
Statement after effectiveness, in the event that:
(i) Kimco determines that information required to be
included in such Registration Statement is not yet available;
(ii) Kimco intends to file a registration statement
(other than a registration statement on Form S-8 or its successor form);
(iii) there is an occurrence which causes the
prospectus included in the Registration Statement, as then in effect, to contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances then existing; or
(iv) Kimco is engaged in any activity, transaction or
any preparations or negotiations for any activity or transaction that Kimco has
a bona fide business purpose to keep confidential and Kimco determines that the
public disclosure requirements imposed on Kimco under the Securities Act in
connection with such Registration Statement would require the disclosure of such
activity, transaction, preparations or negotiations;
provided, however, that Kimco (x) will promptly notify the Holders of
Registrable Shares of the foregoing determination to delay or suspend such
Registration Statement (but without necessarily specifying the basis for such
determination) and (y) may not delay or suspend such Registration Statement for
such reason more than twice in any twelve (12) month period or for more than
sixty (60) days at any time.
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(b) Reinstatement. If Kimco delays or suspends a Registration
Statement pursuant to Section 4(a), Kimco shall, as promptly as practicable
following the termination of the circumstance entitling Kimco to do so (but in
no event more than sixty (60) days thereafter), take such actions as may be
necessary to file or reinstate the effectiveness of such Registration Statement.
If, as a result thereof, the prospectus included in such Registration Statement
has been amended to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act, Kimco
shall deliver to each Holder such amended prospectus.
5. Expenses of Registration. In connection with any Registration
Statement required to be filed hereunder, Kimco shall pay any and all expenses
incurred in connection with any registration, including: (i) all registration
and filing fees, (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities
and state "Blue Sky" laws, (iii) printing expenses, (iv) internal Kimco expenses
(including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and
employees performing legal or accounting duties), (v) the fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Shares on the New
York Stock Exchange or any securities exchange on which similar securities
issued by Kimco are then listed, (vi) fees and disbursements of counsel for
Kimco and the independent public accountants of Kimco, and (vii) the fees and
expenses of any experts retained by Kimco in connection with such registration.
6. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by Kimco. To the extent permitted by law and solely
with respect to a Resale Registration Statement, Kimco shall indemnify and hold
harmless each selling Holder under a Resale Registration Statement, its
officers, directors, agents and representatives and each person, if any, who
"controls" a selling Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act (each, a
"Holder Indemnitee"), against any and all losses, claims, damages, or
liabilities (joint or several) to which any of the foregoing persons may become
subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state
law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements
or omissions (each, a "Violation"): (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Resale Registration Statement,
including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or
any amendments or supplements thereto; or (ii) any omission or alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were
made, not misleading. Kimco shall pay to each Holder Indemnitee, as incurred,
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action;
provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(a)
will not apply to (w) amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the prior
written consent of Kimco; (x) any Violation to the extent such Violation occurs
in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to Kimco
by such Holder Indemnitee expressly for inclusion in the Resale Registration
Statement; (y) any Violation to the extent such Violation occurs as a result of
such Holder Indemnitee's failure to send or give a copy of the final prospectus
furnished to it by Kimco at or prior to the time such action is required by the
Securities Act; and (z) any Violation to the extent such Violation is contained
in a prospectus included in a Resale Registration Statement which was corrected
in a supplement or amendment thereto if such claim is brought by a purchaser of
Registrable Shares from the Holder Indemnitee and the Holder Indemnitee failed
to deliver to such purchaser such supplement or amendment in a timely manner
after having received it from Kimco.
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(b) Indemnification by Holders. To the extent permitted by law and
solely with respect to a Resale Registration Statement, each selling Holder
thereunder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify Kimco, each of its
officers, directors, agents and representatives and each person, if any, who
"controls" Kimco within the meaning of the Securities Act (each, a "Kimco
Indemnitee"), against any and all losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint
or several) to which any of the foregoing persons may become subject, under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereto) arise
out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent that (i) such
Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to Kimco by such selling Holder expressly for inclusion in the Resale
Registration Statement; (ii) such Violation occurs as a result of such selling
Holder's failure to send or give a copy of the final prospectus furnished to it
by Kimco at or prior to the time such action is required by the Securities Act;
or (iii) such Violation is contained in a prospectus included in a Resale
Registration Statement which was corrected in a supplement or amendment thereto
if such claim is brought by a purchaser of Registrable Shares from the selling
Holder and the selling Holder failed to deliver to such purchaser such
supplement or amendment in a timely manner after having received it from Kimco.
Each Holder shall pay to each Kimco Indemnitee, as incurred, any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by such Kimco Indemnitee in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action;
provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b)
will not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action if such settlement is effected without the prior written
consent of the Holder.
(c) Indemnification Procedures.
(i) Each indemnified party shall give reasonably prompt notice
to each indemnifying party of any action or proceeding commenced against it in
respect of which indemnity may be sought under this Section 6, but the failure
to so notify the indemnifying party (A) shall not relieve it from any liability
which it may have under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6,
unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and the lack
of notice by the indemnified party results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying
party of substantial rights and defenses, and (B) shall not, in any event,
relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to the indemnified party
other than its indemnification obligation under the indemnity agreement provided
under Sections 6(a) and 6(b).
(ii) If the indemnifying party so elects, within a reasonable
time after receipt of notice, the indemnifying party may assume the defense of
the action or proceeding at the indemnifying party's own expense with counsel
chosen by the indemnifying party and approved by the indemnified party, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that if the
defendants in any such action or proceeding include both the indemnified party
and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party reasonably determines,
based upon advice of legal counsel experienced in such matters, that there may
be legal defenses available to it which are different from or in addition to
those available to the indemnifying party, then the indemnified party shall be
entitled to separate counsel at the indemnifying party's expense, which counsel
shall be chosen by the indemnified party and approved by the indemnifying party,
which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided further, that it is
understood that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the fees, charges
and disbursements of more than one separate firm. If the indemnifying party does
not assume the defense, after having received the notice referenced in Section
6(c)(i), the indemnifying party shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel for the indemnified party; in that event, the indemnifying party will
not be liable for any amounts paid in any settlement if such settlement is
effected without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party. If an
indemnifying party assumes the defense of an action or proceeding in accordance
with this Section 6(c), the indemnifying party will not be liable for any fees
and expenses of counsel for the indemnified party incurred thereafter in
connection with that action or proceeding, except as set forth in the proviso in
the first sentence of this Section 6(c)(ii).
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(iii) Unless and until a final judgment is rendered
that an indemnified party is not
entitled to the costs of defense under the provisions of this Section 6, the
indemnifying party shall reimburse, promptly as they are incurred, the
indemnified party's costs of defense.
(d) Contribution.
(i) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6 is held by a
court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with
respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense referred to herein,
then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party
hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified
party as a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying
party, on the one hand, and of the indemnified party, on the other hand, in
connection with the Violation that resulted in such loss, liability, claim,
damage, or expense as well as any other relevant equitable considerations;
provided, however, that the contribution agreement contained in this Section
6(d) will not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the prior
written consent of the indemnifying party, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the
indemnified party will be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the Violation relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party
or by the indemnified party and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access
to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such Violation.
(ii) Kimco and the Holders acknowledge that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by any
method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations
referred to above in Section 6(d)(i). The amount paid or payable by an
indemnifying party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities
referred to in Sections 6(a) and 6(b) shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
the indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6(d), no selling
Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
which the total price at which the Registrable Shares of such Holder were sold
pursuant to the Resale Registration Statement exceeds the amount of any damages
which such selling Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
Violation. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
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7. Miscellaneous.
(a) Amendment, Modification and Supplementation. This
Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only by written agreement of
both Kimco, on the one hand, and any Holder, on the other hand, and such
amendment, modification or supplement shall be binding only on the Holder
signing it. Upon becoming a Holder, a person shall become a party to this
Agreement by executing a counterpart of this Agreement and delivering a copy of
such counterpart to Kimco.
(b) Waiver of Compliance; Consents. Any failure of Kimco or
any Holder to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement, or condition
herein may be waived by the other party only by a written instrument signed by
an officer of the party granting such waiver, but such waiver or failure to
insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement, or
condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any
subsequent or other failure. Whenever this Agreement requires or permits consent
by or on behalf of any party hereto, such consent shall be given in writing.
(c) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder
must be in writing and will be deemed given when delivered personally by
commercial courier service, reputable overnight delivery service or by facsimile
to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party
as may be specified by like notice):
If to Westlake, to: Westlake Development Company, Inc.
000 Xx Xxxxxx Xxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxx
Tel. No.: (000) 000-0000 Ext. 159
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Email: xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
with a copy to: O'Melveny & Xxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
Tel. No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Email: xxxxxx@xxx.xxx
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If to any other Such address as such Holder designates
Holder, to: to Kimco in writing
with a copy to: O'Melveny & Xxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
Tel. No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Email: xxxxxx@xxx.xxx
If to Kimco, to: Kimco Realty Corporation
3333 New Hyde Park Road, P.O. Box 5020
New Hyde Park, New York 11042-0020
Attention:
Facsimile:
with copies to: Xxxxxx, Xxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP
0 Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxx, Esq.
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
(d) Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions
hereof will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and
their respective successors and permitted assigns, but neither this Agreement
nor any of the rights, interests, or obligations hereunder may be assigned by
any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other
parties; provided, however, that Westlake or any Holder may assign its rights,
interests and obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of Kimco,
in connection with any transfer of Limited Partnership Interests (as defined in
the Partnership Agreement) that does not require the consent of the General
Partner (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) pursuant to Article 11 of the
Partnership Agreement. This Agreement is not intended to confer upon any other
person, except the parties hereto and the Holders from time to time, any rights
or remedies hereunder.
(e) Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by,
construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of
California.
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(f) Costs of Enforcement. If any party to this Agreement
brings any action, suit, counterclaim, appeal, arbitration, mediation or other
proceeding, in equity or at law (an "Action"), to enforce this Agreement or to
declare rights under this Agreement, in addition to any damages and costs which
the prevailing party or parties otherwise would be entitled, the losing party or
parties in any such Action shall pay to the prevailing party or parties all
actual attorneys' fees and costs incurred in connection with such Action and/or
enforcing any judgment, order, ruling or award (collectively, a "Decision")
granted by a court, arbitrator or mediator, all of which must be paid whether or
not such Action is prosecuted to a Decision.
(g) Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is
invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality, or
unenforceability, without affecting in any way the remaining provisions hereof
in such jurisdiction or rendering that or any other provision of this Agreement
invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any other jurisdiction.
(h) Construction. The captions and titles of the sections and
subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not
to be considered in construing this Agreement. This Agreement will be construed
without regard to any presumption or other rule requiring the resolution of any
ambiguity regarding the interpretation or construction hereof against the party
causing this Agreement to be drafted.
(i) Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire
agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject
matter contained herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and the
understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter. No
discussions regarding or exchange of drafts or comments in connection with the
transactions contemplated herein will constitute an agreement among the parties
hereto. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, Kimco shall
have no obligation to the Holders to register Registrable Shares under the
Securities Act.
(j) Limitation of Obligation. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement suggesting the contrary, the obligations of Kimco and the Holders
under this Agreement will not apply to the extent the General Partner
irrevocably elects not to exercise its right to issue REIT Shares in any
Exchange under Section 8.5.B of the Partnership Agreement, and the General
Partner promptly notifies each Holder of such election in writing. Kimco will
have no obligation or liability, and no Holder will have any right or recourse,
under this Agreement if the General Partner elects to satisfy any Exchange by
means of Cash Payment (as defined in the Partnership Agreement).
(k) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which
together will constitute one instrument. Signatures transmitted electronically
or by facsimile will be deemed original signatures; provided that the party
delivering such electronic or facsimile signature shall deliver to the other an
original signature page as soon thereafter as practicable.
[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank;
signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the date first written above.
Kimco:
Kimco Realty Corporation,
a Maryland corporation
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
--------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
----------------
Title: Director of Acquisitions, West Coast
------------------------------------
Westlake:
Westlake Development Company, Inc.,
a California corporation
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxx
-------------
Xxxx Xxxx, President
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