AGREEMENT TO FORM LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY and CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT Among Concord Associates, L.P. and Empire Resorts, Inc. Dated as of February 8, 2008
Exhibit
10.1
AGREEMENT
TO FORM LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
and
CONTRIBUTION
AGREEMENT
Among
Concord
Associates, L.P.
and
Empire
Resorts, Inc.
Dated
as of February 8, 2008
THIS
AGREEMENT TO FORM LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AND CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(this “Agreement”) is made as of February 8, 2008 among Concord
Associates, L.P., a New York limited partnership having an office at c/o
Cappelli Enterprises, Inc., 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
(“Concord”) and Empire Resorts, Inc., a Delaware corporation having an office at
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000
(“Empire”).
RECITALS
A. Concord
holds fee title to that certain parcel of land located in Kiamesha Lake, New
York and described on Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof,
and all buildings, structures and other improvements thereon, consisting of
approximately 160 acres and commonly known as the Concord Hotel and Resort
(the
“Concord Property”).
B. Empire
owns certain video gaming machine and racing businesses located in Monticello,
New York on approximately 200 acres and commonly known as the Monticello Raceway
(the “Empire Land”). The operation of such business is conducted
pursuant to certain licenses owned by Empire and its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Monticello Raceway Management Inc., a New York corporation (“MRMI”), under those
certain license agreements described on Schedule C attached hereto and
made a part hereof (the “Empire Licenses”), and includes employees currently
employed by Empire, and customer lists and marketing materials used by Empire,
each as is necessary to Empire’s ownership and operation of such businesses (the
“Empire Operations”).
C. Concord
and Empire desire to form a limited liability company under the New York Act,
such limited liability company to be called “Concord Empire LLC” (the
“Company”), and to enter into that certain Operating Agreement attached hereto
as Schedule B and made a part hereof (the “Operating Agreement”). At the
Closing, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Operating Agreement,
Concord shall contribute the Concord Property to the Company and Empire shall
contribute the Empire Operations to the Company; provided, that at the Closing,
Empire shall deliver the Empire Licenses to the Escrow Agent pursuant to the
provisions of Section 20 of this Agreement, and shall instruct the Escrow Agent
to automatically release the Empire Licenses to the Company upon the issuance
of
a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, such instruction to be
irrevocable.
D. Subject
to the terms of the Operating Agreement, after consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, Concord shall hold a fifty percent (50%) interest in the
Company and Empire shall hold a fifty percent (50%) interest in the
Company.
NOW,
THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree
as
follows:
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1.
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Incorporation
of Recitals, Schedules and
Exhibits
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1.1. Incorporation
of Recitals
The
foregoing recitals and all other preambles and recitals set forth herein are
made part of this Agreement.
1.2. Incorporation
of Exhibits
The
schedules and exhibits attached hereto are incorporated herein and expressly
made a part hereof by this reference.
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2.
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Definitions
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2.1. Defined
Terms. The following terms have the meanings hereinafter
indicated whenever used in this Agreement with initial capital
letters:
“Agreement”
shall mean this Agreement to Form Limited Liability Company and Contribution
Agreement, dated February 1, 2008, between Concord and Empire.
“Appraisal
Process” shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating
Agreement.
“Beneficial
Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under
the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any
particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange
Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all
securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise
of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is
exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The
terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have meanings correlative to
the foregoing.
“Broker”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.1 of this Agreement.
“Xxxxxxxxxx
Tax Credits” shall mean any and all benefits available pursuant to the Xxxxxxxxxx
Program administered by the NYSDEC, including but not limited to
Xxxxxxxxxx Real Property Tax Credits provided for by Tax Laws Section 22,
606(ee) and 606(i) and sections related thereto and any Xxxxxxxxxx Redevelopment
Tax Credits provided for by Tax Laws Section 21, 606(dd) and 606(i) and sections
related thereto.
“Capital
Account” shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating
Agreement.
“Capital
Stock” shall mean any and all shares, interests, participations or other
equivalents (however designated and whether or not voting) of corporate stock,
including each class of common stock and preferred stock, and any warrants,
rights or options to purchase any of such instruments or interests.
“Cash
Flow” shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating Agreement.
“Class
III Actions” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22.1 of this
Agreement.
“Class
III Licenses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22.1 of this
Agreement.
“Closing”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.
“Closing
Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this
Agreement.
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“Closing
Statement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.1(l) of this
Agreement.
“Code
Withholding Section” shall mean collectively, the Internal Revenue Code Section
1445 and regulations issued thereunder.
“Company”
shall mean Concord Empire LLC, a New York limited liability
company.
“Concord”
shall mean Concord Associates, L.P., a New York limited partnership having
an
office at c/o Cappelli Enterprises, Inc., 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx
00000.
“Concord
Contributed Property” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) of this
Agreement.
“Concord
Deed” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.1(a) of this
Agreement.
“Concord
Default” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 18.1 of this
Agreement.
“Concord
Exculpated Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 17 of this
Agreement.
“Concord
Insurance Policies” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b)(G) of this
Agreement.
“Concord
Licenses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b)(B) of this
Agreement.
“Concord
Plans” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b)(C) of this
Agreement.
“Concord
Permitted Exceptions” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(B) of this
Agreement.
“Concord
Personal Property” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b)(E) of this
Agreement.
“Concord
Property” shall mean that certain parcel of land located in Kiamesha Lake, New
York and described on Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof,
and all buildings, structures and other improvements thereon, consisting of
approximately 160 acres and commonly known as the Concord Hotel and Resort,
but
excluding the Xxxxxxxxxx Tax Credits held by Concord or any of Concord’s
affiliates in connection with such land.
“Concord
Property Disapproved Exception” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
9.1(B)(m) of this Agreement.
“Concord
Property Title Report” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(B) of
this Agreement.
“Concord
Property Title Update” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(B) of
this Agreement.
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“Concord
Service Contracts” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b)(G) of this
Agreement.
“Concord
Survey” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(B) of this
Agreement.
“Construction
Contract” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 19.1(b) of this
Agreement.
“Credit
Facility” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.2(e) of this
Agreement.
“Credit
Facility Assignment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.2(e) of this
Agreement.
“Credit
Facility Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.2(e) of
this Agreement.
“Development
Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating Agreement.
“Effective
Date” shall mean the date on which this Agreement is executed and delivered by
the parties hereto.
“Empire”
shall mean Empire Resorts, Inc., a Delaware corporation, having an office at
000
Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000.
“Empire
Change of Control” means the occurrence of one or more of the following
events:
(1) any
direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other
than by way of merger or consolidation), in one transaction or a series of
related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of Empire to
any
Person or Group other than a transaction in which the transferee is controlled
by one or more Permitted Holders;
(2) Empire
consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person
consolidates with, or merges with or into, Empire, other than (A) a transaction
in which the surviving or transferee Person is a Person that is controlled
by
the Permitted Holders or (B) any such transaction where the Voting Stock of
Empire outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into
or
exchanged for a majority of the outstanding shares of the Voting Stock of such
surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such
issuance);
(3) the
approval by the holders of Capital Stock of Empire of any plan or proposal
for
the liquidation, winding up or dissolution of Empire;
(4) any
Person or Group, other than a Permitted Holder, is or becomes the Beneficial
Owner, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate of more than 50% of the total
voting power of the Voting Stock of Empire;
(5) any
transaction or event (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender
offer, consolidation, merger, binding share exchange, combination,
reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) in connection with which all
or
substantially all of the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for, converted
into, acquired for or constitute solely the right to receive, consideration
which is not all or substantially all common stock that is either (a) listed
on,
or immediately after the transaction or event will be listed on, a United States
national
securities exchange, or (b) approved, or immediately after the transaction
or
event will be approved, for quotation on the Nasdaq Global Market or any similar
United States system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities
prices; or
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(6) individuals
who on the Effective Date constituted the Board of Directors (together with
any
new directors whose election by such Board of Directors or whose nomination
for
election by the stockholders of Empire was approved pursuant to a vote of a
majority of the directors then still in office who were either directors on
the
Effective Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously
so
approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of
Directors then in office.
“Empire
Common Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22.2 of this
Agreement.
“Empire
Default” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 18.2 of this
Agreement.
“Empire
Exculpated Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 17 of this
Agreement.
“Empire
Land” shall mean the approximately 200 acres of land located in Monticello, New
York, and all buildings, structures and other improvements thereon, and commonly
known as the Monticello Raceway; but does not include the Land in Trust Property
.
“Empire
Licenses” certain licenses owned by Empire and its wholly-owned subsidiary,
MRMI, pursuant to those certain license agreements described on Schedule
C attached hereto and made a part hereof, and pertaining to
Empire’s ownership and operating of a harness racing facility and a video gaming
machine facility, such licenses currently enabling Empire to operate a harness
racing facility and video gaming machine facility in Monticello, New York known
as the Monticello Gaming and Raceway facility.
“Empire
Operations” shall mean the business of operating Empire's video gaming machine
and racing businesses in Monticello, New York known as the Monticello Gaming
and
Raceway facility, including but not limited to the Empire Licenses, the
employees currently employed by Empire and customer lists and marketing
materials used by Empire in connection with the ownership and the operation
of
such business, but exclusive of the Empire Land and the Land in Trust
Property.
“Empire
Requisite Vote” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.1(a) of this
Agreement.
“Empire
Title/Survey Disapproval Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
9.1(B)(m) of this Agreement.
“Environmental
Legal Requirements” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(o) of this
Agreement.
“ERISA” shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(t) of this Agreement.
“Escrow
Agent” shall mean Xxxxxxx Title Insurance Company.
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“Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor
statute or statutes thereto.
“Gaming
Authority” means any agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, department,
office or instrumentality of any nature whatsoever of the United States Federal
government, any foreign government, any state, province or city or other
political subdivision or otherwise, whether now or hereafter in existence,
or
any officer or official thereof, including, without limitation, the National
Indian Gaming Commission, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Division of
the
Lottery of the State of New York, or any other agency, in each case, with
authority to regulate any gaming operation (or proposed gaming operation) owned,
managed or operated by the Empire and MRMI.
“Governmental
Entity” shall mean any governmental or regulatory authority, agency, commission,
body, court or other governmental entity.
“Group”
shall mean a group of related Persons for purposes of Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act.
“Hazardous
Materials” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(o) of this
Agreement.
“Immaterial
Taking” shall mean the commencement or completion of a condemnation proceeding
that shall not substantially interfere with the development of the Concord
Property pursuant to the Site Plan, as determined by Concord in its reasonable
discretion
“Knowledge”
or “knowledge” shall mean and be limited to (i) with respect to Empire, when
used in the phrase “to Empire’s knowledge” or similar phrases, the actual
knowledge of the following individual: Xxxxx Xxxxxx, and the
knowledge a reasonably prudent person would be expected to have acting in such
person’s capacity in the conduct of similar business and (ii) with respect to
Concord when used in the phrase “to Concord’s knowledge” or similar phrases, the
actual knowledge of the following individuals: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx and
Xxxxx Xxxx, and the knowledge a reasonably prudent person would be expected
to
have acting in such person’s capacity in the conduct of similar
business.
“Land
In
Trust Property” shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating
Agreement.
“Lead
Based Paint” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(o) of this
Agreement.
“Legalization”
shall mean the passage of legislation by the State of New York that permits
legalized gambling at the Concord Property, such legislation to be final,
unappealable, and not subject to reconsideration by any governmental authority,
with no injunction, moratorium, or other legal impediment in place that would
legally preclude Concord or Empire from developing a casino facility comparable
to a Class III gaming facility on the Concord Property.
“Lien”
shall mean any easement, encroachment, security interest, pledge, mortgage,
lien
(including, without limitation, environmental, Tax and ERISA liens), charge,
judgment, claim, encumbrance, proxy, voting trust or voting
agreement.
“Management
Fees” shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating Agreement.
“Material
Adverse Effect” shall mean an effect that would prevent, materially delay or
materially impair the ability of either Concord or Empire to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or that would prevent, materially
delay or materially impair the ability
of the Company to develop, construct and operate a hotel and convention center
substantially similar to those described in the Site Plan, and a harness
racetrack and a Class II gaming facility substantially similar to those
currently existing on the Empire Land, on the Concord Property after the Closing
of the transactions contemplated hereby.
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“Material
Taking” shall mean the commencement or completion of a condemnation proceeding
that shall substantially interfere with the development of the Concord Property
pursuant to the Site Plan.
“Moratorium”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 19.3(b) of this
Agreement.
“MRMI”
shall mean Monticello Raceway Management, Inc., a New York
corporation.
“Notes”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 19.2(i) of this
Agreement.
“Operating
Agreement” shall mean that certain Operating Agreement of the Company attached
hereto as Schedule B and made a part hereof.
“Other
Financing Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.1(c) of this
Agreement.
“Option
Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22.2 of this
Agreement.
“Option
Purchase Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22.2 of this
Agreement.
“Permitted
Holders” shall mean Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx R, Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Concord Associates, L.P. and their respective
affiliates.
“Person”
shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
association, trust or other entity or organization, including a government
or
political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
“Pro
Forma Financial Statement” shall mean such pro forma financial statements as are
used by a lender in making its loan determination.
“Proceedings”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 23.15 of this
Agreement.
“Property”
shall mean the Concord Property and the
Empire Operations.
“Put
Option” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22.2 of this
Agreement.
“Racing
Authority” means any agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, department,
office or instrumentality of any nature whatsoever of the United States Federal
government, any foreign government, any state, province or city or other
political subdivision or otherwise, whether now or hereafter in existence,
or
any officer or official thereof, including, without limitation, the New York
State Racing and Wagering Board, or any other agency, in each
case, with authority to regulate any racing operation (or proposed racing
operation) owned, managed or operated by Empire and MRMI.
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“Reimbursement
Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating
Agreement.
“Second
Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(B)(m) of this
Agreement.
"Section
19.3(a) Termination Notice" shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 19.3(a) of this Agreement.
“Site
Plan” shall mean that certain 4th Amended
Site Plan
Approval attached hereto as Schedule E and made a part
hereof.
“State
Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.1(c) of this
Agreement.
“Subsidiaries”
shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person, whether incorporated
or unincorporated, of which at least a majority of the securities or ownership
interests having by their terms voting power to elect a majority of the board
of
directors or other Persons performing similar functions is directly or
indirectly owned or controlled by such entity or by one or more of its
respective Subsidiaries.
“Tax”
or
“Taxes” shall mean all federal, state, local or foreign net or gross income,
gross receipts, net proceeds, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, franchise,
bank shares, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, property, alternative
minimum, environmental or other taxes, assessments, duties, fees, levies or
other governmental charges of any nature whatsoever, whether disputed or not,
together with any interest, penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts
with respect thereto, whether disputed or not, in each case including such
taxes
for which a Person is or may be liable (i) as a result of Treasury Regulation
Section 1.1502-6 (or a similar provision of state, local or foreign law), as
transferee or successor, and (ii) as a result of being party to any agreement
or
any expressed or implied obligation to indemnify any Person.
“Tax
Returns” shall mean any federal, state, local or foreign returns, reports,
claims for refund, information returns or statements (including any amended
returns or information returns) filed or required to be filed for purposes
of a
particular Tax.
“Temporary
Certificate of Occupancy” shall mean a temporary certificate of occupancy issued
to the Company in connection with any Class II gaming facility and harness
racetrack constructed on the Concord Property.
"Termination
Payment" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 19.3(a) of this Agreement.
“Title
Company” shall mean Xxxxxxx Title Insurance Company and Fidelity National Title
Insurance Company, as co-insurers; provided, that if either of the
aforementioned title companies shall decline to offer affirmative insurance
of
any Concord Property Disapproved Exception or on any exception to title raised
by any third-party lender that shall provide financing to the Company in
connection with the development of the Concord Property that the other title
company shall be willing to affirmatively insure, then the title company
offering such affirmative insurance shall be the sole “Title Company” pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement.
“Tribe”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22.1 of this Agreement.
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“Voting
Stock” shall mean, with respect to any Person, securities of any class or
classes of Capital Stock of such Person entitling the holders thereof (whether
at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has voting power by
reason of any contingency) to vote in the election of members of the Board
of
Directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Person.
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3.
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Description
of the Transaction
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(a) On
the Closing Date and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, Concord
and
Empire agree to (i) form the Company for the purpose of owning, operating and
developing the Property and (ii) enter into the Operating
Agreement.
(b) At
the Closing, Concord shall contribute the Concord Property, and all buildings,
structures and improvements located thereon, to the Company in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement, together with all of its right, title and interest
in and to (A) the easements, rights, privileges and appurtenances belonging
thereto, and any abutting strips or gores, any land lying in the bed of any
street, road or avenue, open or proposed, in front of or adjoining such
property, and all appurtenant easements for ingress, egress, utilities and
other
purposes, (B) all licenses, franchises, certificates, authorizations,
approvals, variances, permits and special permits issued or approved by any
Governmental Entity and relating to the development, operation, ownership,
maintenance and use of the Concord Property or any part thereof including,
without limitation, all applications and/or filings for environmental approvals
and consents, licenses and building permits, and land use and subdivision
approvals, all to the extent assignable and more completely described in
Exhibit A-1 attached hereto and made a part hereof (the “Concord
Licenses”), (C) all architectural plans and specifications (including all design
drawings and concept plans), engineering reports (structural and mechanical),
surveys, other development plans and site plans and all environmental, zoning,
feasibility and other reports and studies relating to the condition and
development of the Concord Property, all to the extent assignable (the “Concord
Plans”), (D) all guarantees and warranties of manufacturers, contractors,
materialmen and suppliers in connection therewith to the extent available and
relating to the Concord Property, (E) all machinery, equipment, fixtures,
furnishings and other tangible personal property more completely described
in
Exhibit B-1, and all replacements additions or accessories thereto
between the date hereof and the Closing Date (collectively, the “Concord
Personal Property”), (F)intentionally deleted, (G) all service, maintenance,
supply and management contracts with respect to the Concord Property
(collectively, the “Concord Service Contracts”) shown on Exhibit D-1
attached hereto and made a part hereof, and all assignable insurance policies
with respect to the Concord Property (collectively the “Concord Insurance
Policies”) shown on Exhibit E-1 attached hereto and made a part hereof,
and (H) all operating manuals for components (such as mechanical equipment
or
landscaping) relating to the maintenance and/or operation of any equipment
or
machinery located at the Concord Property (collectively, the “Concord
Contributed Property”), subject only to the Concord Permitted Exceptions and
such other matters as any title insurer licensed to do business by the State
of
New York shall be willing, without special premium, to omit as exceptions to
coverage or to except with insurance against collection out of or enforcement
against the Concord Property. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Agreement, the “Concord Contributed Property” shall
not include the Xxxxxxxxxx Tax Credits held by Concord or any of Concord’s
affiliates in connection with the Concord Property.
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(c) At
the Closing, Empire shall contribute the Empire Operations to the Company;
provided, that, at the Closing Empire shall deliver the Empire Licenses to
the
Escrow Agent pursuant to the provisions of Section 20 of this Agreement, and
shall instruct the Escrow Agent to automatically release the Empire Licenses
to
the Company upon the issuance of a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, such
instruction to be irrevocable; provided, further, that the Company shall
continue to operate the Empire Operations at its current location on the Empire
Land until such time as the Company receives a Temporary Certificate of
Occupancy.
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4.
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Consideration
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4.1. Upon
contribution of the Concord Contributed Property to the Company, execution
of
the Operating Agreement, and satisfaction of all other conditions to Closing
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Concord shall be admitted as a member
of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Operating
Agreement and, in consideration of the foregoing, Concord shall hold a fifty
percent (50%) membership interest in the Company, such membership interest
to be
evidenced by the execution and delivery by Concord and Empire of the Operating
Agreement.
4.2. Upon
contribution of the Empire Operations to the Company (which shall include the
placement of the Empire Licenses in escrow pursuant to Section 20 of
this Agreement), execution of the Operating Agreement, and satisfaction of
all
other conditions to Closing pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Empire
shall be admitted as a member of the Company pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement and the Operating Agreement and, in consideration of the foregoing,
Empire shall hold a fifty percent (50%) membership interest in the Company,
such
membership interest to be evidenced by the execution and delivery by Concord
and
Empire of the Operating Agreement.
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5.
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Time
and Place of Closing
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5.1. Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the closing of title pursuant to this
Agreement (“Closing”) shall take place within thirty (30) days of the
satisfaction and/or waiver of the conditions to Closing specified in Article
19
of this Agreement, which the parties hereto anticipate to be on or before August
31, 2008, but subject to the provisions of Section 19.3 of this Agreement (the
“Closing Date”). Closing shall take place at the offices of XxxXxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxxxx, LLP at 0 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000.
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6.
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Reserved.
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7.
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Covenants
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7.1. Concord
covenants that between the date of this Agreement and the Closing:
(a) Concord
shall comply or cause to be complied in all material respects with all of its
obligations under the Concord Licenses, the Concord Service Contracts, the
Concord Permitted Exceptions and any and all terms and conditions of any
mortgage or lien encumbering the Concord Property.
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(b) Concord
shall operate the Concord Property in a manner consistent with good practice
and
in accordance with its insurance company’s requirements and all legal
requirements applicable to the Concord Property, and maintain the Concord
Property in substantially the same condition as exists on the date hereof,
reasonable wear and tear excepted, and shall keep the same or cause the same
to
be kept fully insured against fire and with extended coverage consistent with
prior practice.
(c) Concord
shall not modify or amend any Concord Service Contract or enter into any new
service contract unless the same is terminable without penalty by the then
owner
of the Concord Property upon not more than 30 days’ notice.
(d) No
fixtures, equipment or personal property included in this sale shall be removed
from the Concord Property unless the same are replaced with similar items of
at
least equal quality prior to the Closing.
(e) Concord
shall not withdraw, settle or otherwise compromise any protest or reduction
proceeding affecting real estate taxes assessed against the Concord Property
for
any fiscal period in which the Closing is to occur or any subsequent fiscal
period without the prior written consent of Empire, which consent shall not
be
unreasonably withheld. Real estate tax refunds and credits received
after the Closing Date which are attributable to the fiscal tax year during
which the Closing Date occurs shall be apportioned between Concord and the
Company after deducting the expenses of collection thereof, which obligation
shall survive the Closing.
(f) Concord
shall not enter into any material transaction or agreement relating to the
Concord Property not in the ordinary course of business.
(g) Concord
shall not enter into any leases of the Concord Property.
(h) Concord
shall allow Empire or Empire’s representatives access to the Concord Property,
the Concord Licenses, the Concord Plans, and other documents required to be
delivered under this Agreement upon reasonable prior notice at reasonable
times.
7.2. Concord
covenants that from the date of this Agreement until such time as Empire or
its
affiliates, successors or assigns is no longer a member of the Company, that
Concord shall not build or operate any convention center, convention facility,
casino, racino, harness or thoroughbred racetrack on the remaining 1,575 acres
owned by Concord that is adjacent to the Concord Property without the written
consent of Empire or its affiliates, successors or assigns.
7.3. Empire
covenants that between the date of this Agreement and the Closing:
(a) Empire
shall comply or cause to be complied in all material respects with all of its
obligations under the Empire Licenses.
(b) Empire
shall operate the Empire Operations in a manner consistent with good practice
and in accordance with all legal requirements applicable to the Empire
Licenses.
11
(c) Empire
shall not enter into any material transaction or agreement relating to the
Empire Operations not in the ordinary course of business; provided, that Empire
shall not knowingly and willfully enter into any transaction or agreement that
shall be reasonably expected to have an adverse effect on the financial
condition of the Company or the ability of the Company to proceed with the
development of the Concord Property pursuant to the Site Plan after Closing,
and
Empire shall consult with Concord regarding any transaction and/or agreement
entered into by Empire in the ordinary course of business that is not terminable
upon thirty (30) days notice. In addition, Empire shall consult with
Concord prior to entering into any transaction or agreement that can reasonably
be expected to have an impact on the financial condition and/or operations
of
the Company after Closing.
(d) Empire
shall allow Concord or Concord’s representatives access to the Empire Operations
and other documents required to be delivered under this Agreement upon
reasonable prior notice at reasonable times.
7.4. Subject
to their respective obligations under applicable Law (including requirements
of
stock exchanges and other similar regulatory bodies), Empire and Concord will
consult with each other before issuing, or permitting any agent or affiliate
to
issue, and provide each other the opportunity to review and make reasonable
comment upon, any press releases or otherwise making or permitting any agent
or
affiliate to make, any public statements with respect to this Agreement and
the
transactions contemplated hereby and, except as may be required by applicable
Law or any listing agreement with the Nasdaq Stock Market, will not issue any
such press release or make any such public statement prior to such
consultation.
7.5. If
required by law, Empire shall use commercially reasonable efforts to solicit
the
approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of Empire and include in any
proxy statement Empire’s board of director’s declaration of the advisability of
this Agreement and its recommendation to the stockholders of Empire that they
adopt this Agreement.
7.6. Empire
and Concord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to secure the
non-subordination of Management Fees with respect to the State Agreement or
any
financing arrangements with a third-party lender.
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8.
|
Reserved
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|
9.
|
Title
to the Property; Form of
Conveyance
|
9.1. Title
to the Concord Property. (A) At Closing, Concord
shall convey good and valid fee title to the Concord Property free and clear
of
all Liens other than Concord Permitted Exceptions.
(B) Empire
agrees to cause the Concord Property to be examined by the Title Company and
shall direct the Title Company to deliver copies of such title report (the
“Concord Property Title Report”) to Concord’s attorney simultaneously with the
delivery of same to Empire, but in no event less than ten (10) days from the
date of this Agreement, and Empire shall also direct the Title Company to
deliver copies of any update of the Concord Property Title Report (a “Concord
Property Title Update”) to Concord’s attorney simultaneously with the delivery
of same to Empire. Empire shall also cause an updated “as built” ALTA/ACSM
survey
12
plat
(collectively, the “Concord Survey”) of the Concord Property, prepared by a
surveyor registered in New York State showing, to the extent applicable all
easements of record, parking spaces (including a count thereof), curb cuts,
setback reductions of record, flood zone designations and such other items
as
Empire may reasonably request to be prepared and delivered simultaneously to
Concord and Empire. At the Closing, Concord shall deliver, and Empire, for
itself and as a member of the Company, shall be required to accept title to
the
Concord Property subject to no Liens, exceptions, encumbrances or defects other
than the following (collectively, “Concord Permitted Exceptions”):
(a) Zoning
regulations, building restrictions, regulations and ordinances which are not
violated by the existing structures, provided the same do not result in a
Material Adverse Effect;
(b) Riparian
rights and easements of others to and over Kiamesha Lake;
(c) The
instruments of record that are listed on Schedule 9.1(B)(c) hereto,
provided the same do not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material
Adverse Effect;
(d) The
lien of any real estate taxes, water charges, sewer rents, and assessments
(if
any) not yet due and payable, provided that apportionment thereof is made as
provided for in this Agreement;
(e) The
lien of any assessment which is or may become payable, but is not then
delinquent, in annual installments of which any installment is then a charge
or
a lien, provided that apportionment thereof is made as provided in this
Agreement;
(f) Financing
statements, chattel mortgages and liens on personalty filed more than 5 years
prior to the Closing Date and not renewed, or filed against property or
equipment no longer located on the Concord Property;
(g) Any
public or quasi-public utility company rights, easements and franchises for
electricity, water, steam, gas, telephone or other service or right to use
and
maintain poles, lines, wires, cables, pipes, boxes and other fixtures and
facilities in, over, under and upon the Concord Property, provided the same
do
not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect
and
provided that none of such rights imposes any monetary obligation on the owner
of the Concord Property;
(h) Any
other easements, rights of way, declarations, covenants, restrictions,
encumbrances and other title matters, provided the same do not, individually
or
in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(i) Encroachments
of xxxxxx, areas, cellar steps, trim cornices, lintels, window xxxxx, awnings,
canopies, ledges, fences, xxxxxx, coping and retaining walls projecting from
the
Concord Property over any street or highway or over any adjoining property
and
encroachments of similar elements projecting from adjoining property over the
Concord Property, provided the same do not, individually or in the aggregate,
result in a Material Adverse Effect;
13
(j) Revocability
or lack of right to maintain vaults, coal chutes, excavations or sub-surface
equipment beyond the line of the Concord Property;
(k) Any
state of facts that an accurate survey would disclose, provided that such facts
do not result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(l) Such
other matters as any title insurer licensed to do business by the State of
New
York shall be willing to omit as exceptions to coverage or to except with
insurance against collection out of or enforcement against the Concord Property;
and
(m) Any
exception, lien or encumbrance set forth in the Concord Property Title Report,
any new exception, lien or encumbrance set forth in any Concord Property Title
Update or any matter disclosed by the Concord Survey, unless (i) within five
(5)
business days following Empire’s receipt of the Concord Property Title Report,
Concord Property Title Update or the Concord Survey, as the case may be, Empire
shall have delivered a written notice (the “Empire Title/Survey Disapproval
Notice”) to Concord objecting to an exception set forth in the Concord Property
Title Report or Concord Property Title Update or matter disclosed by the Concord
Survey (each such objected exception or matter shall hereafter be referred
to as
a “Concord Property Disapproved Exception”), provided said Concord Property
Disapproved Exception is not already deemed a Concord Permitted Exception
pursuant to the provisions of Sections 9.1(B)(a)–(l) above. In the
event that Empire has not responded to a Concord Property Title Update or
Concord Property Title Report within such five (5) business day period, Concord
may deliver a notice (“Second Notice”) stating that that any Empire Title/Survey
Disapproval Notice must be made within three (3) business days, provided that
such Second Notice may be sent via facsimile or electronic mail to Empire and/or
Empire’s counsel, and TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE with respect to Empire’s delivery
of the Empire Title/Survey Disapproval Notice after such. Any Empire
Title/Survey Disapproval Notice delivered more than three (3) business days
after Empire’s receipt of a Second Notice shall be deemed null and
void. In the event that Empire shall have timely delivered a Empire
Title/Survey Disapproval Notice, Concord shall have the right to attempt to
remove, but not the obligation to remove, up to the Closing Date, all Concord
Property Disapproved Exception(s), provided, however,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.1(m),
Concord shall be obligated to discharge the lien of any mortgage and to seek
to
obtain and deliver to the Title Company a demand for payment from any lien
holder of record whose monetary lien constitutes a Concord Property Disapproved
Exception and shall cause the Title Company to pay such demand and discharge
such lien at the Closing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
set forth in this Agreement, in the event that Empire delivers an Empire
Title/Survey Disapproval Notice to Concord with respect to a Concord Property
Title Update on a date which is less than thirty (30) business days prior to
the
Closing, Concord shall have the right, but not the obligation, to adjourn the
Closing Date for a period not to exceed thirty (30) business days from the
date
Concord received the Empire Title/Survey Disapproval Notice in order to attempt
to remove or remedy all Concord Property Disapproved Exceptions pursuant to
the
provisions of the immediately preceding sentence. In the event
Concord cannot or does not remove from title (or remedy a survey defect) any
Concord Property Disapproved Exception by the Closing Date (other than (x)
any
mortgage and (y) liens for the payment of money, all of which Concord is
obligated to cure), Empire shall have the right to either (i) waive such Concord
Property Disapproved Exceptions, or (ii) terminate this Agreement,
in which event this Agreement shall be null and void and the parties hereto
shall be relieved of all further obligations and liability other than any
arising under Section 15.
14
(C) Concord
shall give, and Empire, for itself and as a member of the Company, shall accept,
title to the Concord Property such as the Title Company shall be willing to
insure in accordance with the standard form of policy approved by the New York
State Department of Insurance or the New York Board of Title Underwriters,
whichever agency is appropriate, without special or additional premium, subject
to the Concord Permitted Exceptions and any Concord Property Disapproved
Exception(s) that continues to exist pursuant to Section 9.1(B)(m) hereof;
provided, that such title policy shall include affirmative insurance
that all recorded covenants, conditions and restrictions affecting
the Property and all matters shown on the Concord Survey and any updates thereof
shall not affect the intended use or occupancy of any improvements on the
premises, that the same have not been violated and that a violation thereof
will
not result in forfeiture or reversion of title, and that said covenants,
conditions, restrictions and survey matters will not prohibit the
intended use of the Property as set forth in the Site Plan, and ALTA 9, land
same as survey, contiguity, access, tax parcel, environmental and non-imputation
endorsements. Receipt by the Company of a title policy naming the
Company as the insured, insuring title to the Concord Property as described
in
the foregoing sentence, in the amount of the deemed value of the Concord
Property and issued by the Title Company on behalf of any one or more reputable
national title underwriters shall be a condition precedent to Empire’s
obligations to close the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
9.2. Conveyance
of Empire Operations. At Closing, Empire shall convey the Empire
Operations to the Company free and clear of all Liens; provided that, at the
Closing, Empire shall deliver, or shall cause MRMI to deliver, the Empire
Licenses to the Escrow Agent pursuant to the provisions of Section 20 of this
Agreement.
9.3. Empire
acknowledges and agrees that for purposes of Section 9.1(B), any matter relating
to the environmental condition of the Concord Property shall not be deemed
to be
a title exception and shall not be subject to the provisions of Sections
9.1(B). If the Title Company is willing to insure the Company that
any charges, liens and encumbrances will not be collected out of or enforced
against the Concord Property, then Concord, shall have the right, in lieu of
payment and discharge to deposit with the Title Company such funds or assurances
or to pay such special or additional premiums as the title insurance company
may
require in order to so insure. In such case the liens and
encumbrances with respect to which the Title Company has agreed so to insure
shall not be considered objections to title.
10.
|
Reserved
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11.
|
Apportionment
of Taxes and/or PILOT Payments, Rents and Other Charges at
Closing
|
11.1. (A) Concord
shall be entitled to all income produced from the operation of the Concord
Property which is allocable to the period prior to the Closing Date and shall
be
responsible for all expenses allocable to that period. The Company
shall be entitled to all income and responsible for all expenses allocable
to
the period beginning at 12:01 A.M. on the Closing Date. At the
Closing, all items of income and expense listed below with respect to the
Concord
Property shall be prorated in accordance with the foregoing principles and
the
rules for the specific items set forth hereafter computed and apportioned
between the Company and Concord as of the Closing Date on a per diem and on
a
365-day year basis, which agreement shall survive Closing:
15
|
(i)
|
revenues,
if any, from telephone booths, vending machines and other income-producing
agreements;
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(ii)
|
real
estate taxes, water charges and sewer rents, if any, on the basis
of the
fiscal period for which assessed, except that if there is a water
meter on
the Concord Property, apportionment at the Closing shall be based
on the
last available reading, subject to adjustment after the Closing
when the
next reading is available;
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|
(iii)
|
value
of fuel stored on the Concord Property, at the price then charged
by
Concord’s supplier, including any
taxes;
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|
(iv)
|
charges
under transferable Concord Licenses, Concord Service Contracts,
or
permitted renewals or replacements thereof;
and
|
|
(v)
|
charges
with respect to insurance premiums under the assigned Concord Insurance
Policies, if any.
|
(B) Empire
shall be entitled to all income produced from the operation of the Empire
Operations which is allocable to the period prior to the Closing Date and shall
be responsible for all expenses allocable to that period. The Company
shall be entitled to all income and responsible for all expenses allocable
to
the period beginning at 12:01 A.M. on the Closing Date. At the
Closing, all items of income and expense listed below with respect to the Empire
Operations shall be prorated in accordance with the foregoing principles and
the
rules for the specific items set forth hereafter computed and apportioned
between the Company and Empire as of the Closing Date on a per diem and on
a
365-day year basis, which agreement shall survive Closing:
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(i)
|
charges
under transferable Empire Licenses, if
any.
|
If
the
Closing shall occur before a new tax rate is fixed, the apportionment of taxes
at the Closing shall be upon the basis of the old tax rate for the preceding
period applied to latest assessed valuation. Promptly after the new
tax rate is fixed, the apportionment of taxes shall be
recomputed. Any discrepancy resulting from such recomputation and any
errors or omissions in computing apportionments at Closing shall be promptly
corrected, which obligations shall survive the Closing.
The
provisions of this Section 11.1 shall survive the Closing for a period of one
hundred eighty (180) days at which time there will be a one time readjustment,
if necessary.
11.2. Intentionally
Deleted.
11.3. At
the Closing, Concord shall deliver the Concord Property free and clear of all
leases and/or tenancies thereon.
16
11.4. Each
of Concord and Empire shall be responsible for paying all costs of leasing,
advertising and marketing the Concord Property and the Empire Land,
respectively, incurred up to the date of Closing.
11.5. (A)
Concord shall be responsible for (i) the costs and expenses associated with
its
due diligence; (ii) ensuring the completion of all environmental remediation
on
the Concord Property including any related expenses thereto and curing any
violations that exist on the Concord Property including any related expenses
thereto; (iii) any recording fees for documentation to be recorded in connection
with the contribution of the Concord Property to the Company; and
(iv) the costs and expenses of its legal counsel, advisors and other
professionals employed by it in connection with the contribution of the Concord
Property to the Company; and (B) Empire shall be responsible for (i) the costs
and expenses associated with its due diligence; (ii) any reasonable fees levied
by the Escrow Agent in connection with the escrow of the Empire Licenses prior
to the issuance of a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy; (iii) any recording
fees for documentation to be recorded in connection with the contribution of
the
Empire Operations to the Company; and (iv) the costs and expenses of
its legal counsel, advisors and other professionals employed by it in connection
with the contribution of the Empire Operations to the Company. The
Company shall pay all premiums and fees for title examination and title
insurance obtained and all related charges in connection with the Concord
Property, all costs in connection with the Concord Survey and all state and
local transfer Taxes arising from the transfer of the Concord Property to the
Company.
11.6. A
detailed statement shall be prepared at the Closing setting forth the manner
of
computation of the pro-rated adjustments. The provisions of this Article 11
shall survive the Closing.
12.
|
Warranties
and Representations by Concord.
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12.1. Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Concord hereby warrants and
represents to Empire, knowing and intending that Empire is relying hereon in
entering into this Agreement and consummating the transactions contemplated
hereby, that:
(a) Due
Formation, Existence, Etc. Concord is duly formed, validly
existing, and in good standing, and has the requisite power and authority to
own, lease, and operate its properties as it is now owned, leased and
operated. Concord has full power and authority and has taken all
limited partnership and/or limited liability company action necessary to execute
and deliver this Agreement and to perform the obligations of Concord hereunder,
and all limited partnership action necessary to authorize the person(s)
executing this Agreement on behalf of Concord to execute and deliver this
Agreement and all documents to be executed by Concord pursuant to this Agreement
on behalf of Concord and to perform the obligations of Concord
hereunder. This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of Concord
enforceable against Concord in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws
of
general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general
equity principles. The execution and delivery by Concord
of, and the performance and compliance by Concord with, the terms and provisions
of this Agreement do not (a) violate any term, condition or provision
of Concord’s organizational or governing documents; (b) violate any
judgment, order, injunction, decree, regulation or ruling of any court or other
Governmental
17
Entity
to
which Concord is subject; or (c) require any consent or approval under, result
in any breach of or any loss of any benefit under, give rise to other’s right of
termination, vesting, amendment, acceleration, or cancellation of, result in
the
creation of any Lien on the Concord Property pursuant to, or cause a violation
of any agreement, promissory note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, lease,
license, or any other instrument of obligation to which Concord is a party
or by
which Concord is bound, except that, in the case of clauses (b) or (c) above,
for any breach, violation, termination, default, acceleration, creation or
change that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect on Concord. This Section 12.1(a) shall survive
the Closing for a period of twelve (12) months.
(b) Permits
and Approvals. Concord has all material zoning and governmental
approvals, site plans and other similar approvals, necessary to develop and
construct a hotel and convention center containing up to 1,580,000 square feet,
and a Class II gaming facility on the Concord Property, including, without
limitation, the 4th Amended
Site Plan
Approval attached hereto as Schedule E, and all of such items have been
issued and are valid and in full force and effect. All of the
foregoing are assignable and transferable to the Company without the consent
or
approval of any person or entity or the payment of any material fee or charge
(it being understood and agreed that Concord shall pay any such fees or charges
at Closing). This Section 12.1(b) shall survive the Closing for a period of
twelve (12) months.
(c) Consents
and Approval. No consent, waiver, authorization, permit, or
approval by any third party or governmental entity, which heretofore has not
been obtained, is required in connection with the execution and delivery by
Concord of this Agreement or the performance by Concord of the obligations
to be
performed under this Agreement by Concord. This Section 12.1(c) shall survive
the Closing for a period of twelve (12) months.
(d) Licenses. Exhibit
A-1 is a true, correct and complete list of each of the material Concord
Licenses, as amended and in effect, each of the material Concord Licenses is
in
full force and effect, and Concord does not know of, and neither Concord nor
any
agent or employee of Concord has received notice of, any intention on the part
of the issuing authority to cancel, suspend or modify any of such Concord
Licenses or to take any action or institute any proceedings to effect such
a
cancellation, suspension or modification. The Concord Licenses
identified in Exhibit A-1 comprise all licenses, franchises,
certifications, authorizations, approvals and permits required by any
governmental or quasi-governmental authority for the use and operation of the
Concord Property as the same is presently used and operated, and the Concord
Property is operated and occupied in compliance with each of the Concord
Licenses, except for such noncompliance that would not cause a Material Adverse
Effect. This Section 12.1(d) shall survive the Closing for a period of twelve
(12) months.
(e) Leases. There
are no leases or occupancy agreements affecting the Concord
Property.
(f) Service
Contracts. Exhibit D-1 contains a list of all of the
Concord Service Contracts affecting the Concord Property, and Empire has been
provided with a copy of each of the Concord Service Contracts, and amendments
and modifications thereof, and such copies are true, correct and complete in
all
material respects. Concord is not in material default and has not
received any written notice of default under any of the Concord Service
Contracts that has not been cured, and all of the Concord Service Contracts
are
in full force and effect and are terminable without material cost to Concord
upon not more than thirty (30) days’ notice thereunder.
18
(g) Title. Except
as set forth in Exhibit J attached to this Agreement and made a part
hereof, Concord owns fee simple title to the Concord Property free and clear
of
Liens, other than the Concord Permitted Exceptions. This Section 12.1(g) shall
survive the Closing for a period of twelve (12) months.
(h) Title
to Concord Licenses and Concord Service Contracts. The interest
of Concord in the Concord Service Contracts and Concord Licenses is free and
clear of all Liens and has not been assigned to any other Person, except with
respect to Concord Permitted Exceptions. This Section 12.1(h) shall survive
the
Closing for a period of twelve (12) months.
(i) Personal
Property. All of the Concord Personal Property, if any, to be
contributed by Concord to the Company has been paid for in full and is free
of
all liens, claims and encumbrances.
(j) No
Tenants or Occupants. Except for Concord, there are no persons in
possession or occupancy of the Concord Property, nor are there any persons
who
have possessory or other occupancy rights with respect to the Concord
Property.
(k) Compliance
with Laws. Concord has not received any written notice from any
governmental agency or authority that the Concord Property (or any portion
thereof) is in violation of (i) any of the requirements of restrictive covenants
or other encumbrances affecting the Concord Property (or any portion thereof)
and (ii) any laws bearing on the ownership, operation or use of the Concord
Property, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental
conditions, health, safety, building, fire, zoning, accessibility and land
use.
(l) Litigation. There
is not now pending, nor to the best of Concord’s knowledge, has there been
threatened, any claims, causes of action or other litigation or proceedings
against or affecting Concord before or by any federal or state court,
commission, regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body,
domestic or foreign, wherein an unfavorable ruling, decision or finding may
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Concord, would
interfere with Concord’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, or would affect the use and development of the Concord Property,
except possible claims for workers’ compensation, personal injury or property
damage which are covered by insurance maintained by Concord.
(m) Condemnation. There
is no existing, pending or to the best of Concord’s knowledge, threatened (a)
condemnation of all or any part of the Concord Property, (b)
widening, change of grade or limitation on use of streets abutting the Concord
Property, (c) special Tax or assessment to be levied against the Concord
Property, (d) change in the zoning classification of the Concord Property,
or
(e) change in the tax assessment of the Concord Property; provided, that Concord
has been informed that the sewer tax applicable to the Concord Property shall
be
reassessed.
19
(n) Purchase
Options. Concord has not entered into any presently effective
contracts regarding the sale, conveyance, transfer or disposition of the Concord
Property (except for the within Agreement). Concord has not granted
to anyone, and no one possesses, any option to purchase or right of first
refusal to purchase Concord Property. Concord has not entered into
any occupancy contract, leases or the like with respect to the Concord Property
and no one has any right to use or occupy the Concord Property.
(o) Environmental
Matters. Exhibit I-1 sets forth all reports, notifications
and other documents received by Concord in connection with any Hazardous
Materials (as defined below) or underground storage tanks located in, on or
under the Concord Property. The term “Hazardous Materials” shall include without
limitation (a) asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated
biphenyls, petroleum or petroleum products or byproducts, flammable explosives,
radioactive materials, Lead Based Paint, mold, infectious substances or raw
materials which include hazardous constituents or (b) any hazardous, toxic
or
harmful substances, wastes, materials, pollutants, contaminants, or any other
substances or materials which are regulated by, or may form the basis
of liability under, any Environmental Legal Requirement.
The
term
“Environmental Legal Requirements” shall mean all federal, state and local Legal
Requirements relating to contamination or the protection of human health and
the
environment, including, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. § 9601
etseq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (42
U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et
seq.), the Emergency Planning and Community-Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C. §
11001 etseq.), the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et
seq.), the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.), the
Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), the
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq.), and
those relating to paint containing more than .05% lead by dry weight (“Lead
Based Paint”) and the regulations promulgated pursuant to said laws, all as
amended from time to time.
(p) Insurance. Exhibit
E-1 is a list of all insurance policies presently affording coverage with
respect to the Concord Property, and the information contained thereon is
complete and accurate in all material respects as of the date
hereof.
(q) Brokers
and Finders. Neither Concord nor any of its officers, directors
or employees has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for
any
brokerage fees, commissions or finders fees in connection with the transactions
contemplated in this Agreement. This Section 12.1(q) shall survive the Closing
for a period of twelve (12) months.
(r) Taxes. Except
as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect on Concord, (i) Concord and each of its
Subsidiaries have duly and timely (subject to any extensions permitted by
applicable law) filed all material Tax Returns required to be filed by any
of
them, and all such Tax Returns are true, complete and accurate in all material
respects, (ii) Concord and each of its Subsidiaries have paid all material
Taxes
that are required to be paid by any of them or that Concord or
20
any
of
its Subsidiaries are obligated to withhold from amounts owing to any employee,
creditor or third party, (iii) intentionally deleted, (iv) neither Concord
nor
any of its Subsidiaries has waived any statute of limitations with respect
to
material Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a material
Tax
assessment or deficiency, (v) there are no pending audits, examinations,
investigations, deficiencies, claims or other proceedings in respect of material
Taxes relating to Concord or any of its Subsidiaries, (vi) there are no Liens
for material Taxes on the Concord Property, except for Taxes not yet due and
payable, (vii) neither Concord nor any of its Subsidiaries has been treated
as a
partnership for Tax purposes since the date of its respective formation, (viii)
none of Concord or any of its Subsidiaries has received or has been subject
to
any written ruling relating to material Taxes or entered into any written and
legally binding agreement with any taxing authority relating to material Taxes,
except with respect to sewer taxes payable on the Concord Property, (ix) neither
Concord or any of its Subsidiaries has made any election, or is required, to
treat the Concord Property as owned by another Person for Tax purposes, (x)
the
Concord Property does not directly or indirectly secure any debt the interest
on
which is tax-exempt under Section 103(a) of the Code, and (xiv) the Concord
Property is not a “tax-exempt use property” within the meaning of Section 168(h)
of the Code.
(s) Foreign
Person. Concord is not a “foreign person” as defined by Internal
Revenue Code Section 1445.
(t) ERISA. Concord
is not an “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended, “ERISA”), a “plan,”
within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, or an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” within the meaning of 29
C.F.R. Sec. 2510.3-101 of any such employee benefit plan or plans.
12.2. Empire
acknowledges and agrees that, except as set forth in this Agreement, Concord
has
not made, does not make and specifically negates and disclaims any
representations, warranties, promises, covenants, agreements or guaranties
of
any kind or character whatsoever, whether express or implied, oral or written,
past or present, of, as to, concerning or with respect to the Concord
Property. Additionally, no Person acting on behalf of Concord is
authorized to make, and by execution hereof Empire acknowledges that no person
has made, on behalf of Concord, any representation, agreement, statement,
warranty, guaranty or promise regarding the Concord Property or the transactions
contemplated herein other than the representations, agreements, statements,
warranties, guaranties and promises contained in this Agreement; and no such
other representation, warranty, agreement, guaranty, statement or promise,
if
any, made by any person acting on behalf of Concord shall be valid or binding
upon Concord unless specifically set forth herein. Empire further
acknowledges and agrees that Empire has inspected the Concord Property, is
fully
familiar with the physical condition and state of repair thereof, and, to the
extent permitted by law, the contribution of the Concord Property to the Company
as provided for herein is made on an “as is” condition and basis with all faults
except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
12.3. At
the Closing, and as a condition thereof, without limitation of any other
obligation of Concord contained in this Agreement, Concord shall warrant and
represent to Empire and the Company on the date of Closing in writing that
all
warranties and representations made by Concord in this Agreement continue to
be
true and correct in all material respects as of the date of Closing as if they
were made on the date of such Closing.
21
12.4. Concord
shall indemnify and defend Empire and the Company against and hold Empire and
the Company harmless from any and all claims, losses, costs, damages,
liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable counsel
fees
and counsel fees incurred to enforce this indemnity) arising out of a breach
by
Concord of its warranties, representations and covenants hereunder.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Concord
shall indemnify and defend Empire and the Company against, and hold Empire
and
the Company harmless from, any and all losses, costs, damages, liabilities
and
expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and counsel
fees incurred to enforce this indemnity) arising in connection with the
ownership and operation by Concord of the Concord Property prior to the Closing
Date.
12.5. Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no representations, warranties,
covenants, indemnifications or other obligations of Concord set forth in this
Agreement shall survive the Closing, and no action based thereon shall be
commenced after the Closing. In the event that a representation,
warranty, covenant or indemnification of Concord survives the Closing pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement, such representation, warranty, covenant or
indemnification shall not survive beyond a period of twelve (12) months from
the
date of the Closing, except to the extent that Empire shall have delivered
notice of a breach on or before such twelve (12) month anniversary.
13.
|
Warranties
and Representations by Empire
|
13.1. Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Empire hereby warrants and
represents to Concord, knowing and intending that Empire is relying hereon
in
entering into this Agreement and consummating the transactions contemplated
hereby, that:
(a) Due
Formation, Existence, Etc. Empire is a legal entity duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
respective jurisdiction of organization and has all requisite corporate or
similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets
and to carry on its business as presently conducted and is qualified to do
business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction
where the ownership, leasing or operation of its assets or properties or conduct
of its business requires such qualification except where such failures to be
so
qualified, licensed, or in good standing would not have a Material Adverse
Effect on Empire. Empire has all requisite corporate power and authority and
has
taken all corporate action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform
its obligations under this Agreement, subject only to the approval of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein by a majority of the votes
cast at the Stockholders Meeting, as defined herein (such affirmative vote,
the
“Empire Requisite Vote”). The Empire Requisite Vote is the only vote
of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of Empire necessary
to
adopt, approve or authorize this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby. This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of Empire,
enforceable against Empire in accordance
with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws of general applicability relating
to
or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles. Subject to
Section 7.5 hereof, the Board of Directors of Empire has duly approved this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and
delivery by Empire of, and the
22
performance
and compliance by Empire with, this Agreement in accordance with its terms
do
not (a) violate any term, condition or provision of Empire’s
organizational or governing documents; (b) violate any judgment, order,
injunction, decree, regulation or ruling of any court or other Governmental
Entity to which Empire is subject; or (c) except as set forth on Exhibit
13.1(a) attached hereto and made a part hereof require any consent or
approval under, result in any breach of or any loss of any benefit under, give
rise to other’s right of termination, vesting, amendment, acceleration, or
cancellation of, result in the creation of any Lien on the Empire Licenses
pursuant to, or cause a violation of any agreement, promissory note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, contract, lease, license, or any other instrument of
obligation to which Empire is a party or by which Empire is bound, except that,
in the case of clauses (b) or (c) above, for any breach, violation, termination,
default, acceleration, creation or change that would not, individually or in
the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Empire.
This Section 13.1(a) shall survive the Closing for a period of twelve (12)
months.
(b) Consents
and Approval. Except as set forth on Exhibit 13.1(b)
attached hereto and made a part hereof, no consent, waiver, authorization,
permit, or approval by any third party or governmental entity, including but
not
limited to any Racing Authority or Gaming Authority, which heretofore has not
been obtained is required in connection with the execution and delivery by
Empire of this Agreement or the performance by Empire of the obligations to
be
performed under this Agreement by Empire, including but not limited to the
transfer of the Empire Operations to the Company. This Section 13.1(b) shall
survive the Closing for a period of twelve (12) months.
(c) Licenses. Schedule
C is a true, correct and complete list of all of the Empire Licenses issued
to Empire and MRMI by the Racing Authority and the Gaming Authority, and each
of
the Empire Licenses is in full force and effect, and Empire does not know of,
and neither Empire nor any agent or employee of Empire has received notice
of,
any intention on the part of the issuing authority to cancel, suspend or modify
any of such Empire Licenses or to take any action or institute any proceedings
to effect such a cancellation, suspension or modification. This Section 13.1(c)
shall survive the Closing for a period of twelve (12) months.
(d) Title
to Empire Licenses. Except as set forth on Exhibit 13.1(d)
attached hereto and made a part hereof, the interest of Empire in the Empire
Licenses is free and clear of all Liens and has not been assigned to any other
Person. This Section 13.1(d) shall survive the Closing for a period of twelve
(12) months.
(e) Litigation. There
is not now pending, nor to the best of Empire’s knowledge, has there been
threatened, any claims, causes of action or other litigation or proceedings
against or affecting Empire before or by any federal or state court,
commission, regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body,
domestic or foreign, wherein an unfavorable ruling, decision or finding may
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Empire, would
interfere with Empire’s ability to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, or would affect the use of the Empire Licenses
or the Empire Operations, except possible claims for workers’ compensation,
personal injury or property damage which are covered by insurance maintained
by
Empire.
23
(f) Purchase
Options. Empire has not entered into any presently effective
contracts regarding the sale, conveyance, transfer or disposition of the Empire
Operations (except for the within Agreement). Empire has not granted
to anyone, and no one possesses, any option to purchase or right of first
refusal to purchase the Empire Operations.
(g) Brokers
and Finders. Neither Empire nor any of its officers, directors or
employees has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any
brokerage fees, commissions or finder’s fees in connection with the transactions
contemplated in this Agreement. This Section 13.1(g) shall survive the Closing
for a period of twelve (12) months.
(h) Taxes. Except
as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect on Empire, (i) Empire and each of its Subsidiaries
have
duly and timely filed all Tax Returns required to be filed by any of them,
and
all such Tax Returns are true, complete and accurate in all material respects,
(ii) Empire and each of its Subsidiaries have paid all Taxes that are required
to be paid by any of them (other than Taxes that are being diligently contested
by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves are reflected in
the
Empire Reports) or that Empire or any of its Subsidiaries are obligated to
withhold from amounts owing to any employee, creditor or third party, (iii)
the
unpaid Taxes of Empire and its Subsidiaries do not exceed the reserve for Tax
liability (excluding any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect
timing differences between book and tax income) reflected in the financial
statements contained in the Empire Reports filed prior to the date of this
Agreement, as adjusted for results of operations and cash flows through the
date
hereof, (iv) neither Empire nor any of its Subsidiaries has waived any statute
of limitations with respect to Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with
respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency, (v) there are no pending audits,
examinations, investigations, deficiencies, claims or other proceedings in
respect of Taxes relating to Empire or any of its Subsidiaries, (vi) there
are
no Liens for Taxes on the Empire Property, except for Taxes not yet due and
payable, (vii) none of Empire or any of its Subsidiaries has been a member
of
any group that has filed a combined, consolidated or unitary Tax Return, other
than the affiliated group of corporations of which Empire is the common parent,
(viii) except as set forth on Exhibit 13.1(h)(viii) attached hereto and
made a part hereof, none of Empire or its Subsidiaries has any liability for
Taxes of any person under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any
comparable provision of state, local or foreign law), as transferee or
successor, by contract or otherwise, except as a result of the application
of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (and any comparable provision of state,
local or foreign law to Empire and its Subsidiaries which are members of the
affiliated group of corporations of which Empire is the common parent, (ix)
none
of Empire or any of its Subsidiaries has been a distributing corporation or
a
controlled corporation with respect to any distribution occurring during the
last three years in which the parties to such distribution treated the
distribution as one to which Section 355 of the Code (or any comparable
provision of state, local or foreign law) applied, (x) none of Empire or any
of
its Subsidiaries has made any election, or is required, to treat any of the
assets owned by such entity as owned by another Person for Tax purposes, (xi)
none of Empire or any of its Subsidiaries has received or has been subject
to
any written ruling relating to Taxes or entered into any written and legally
binding agreement
with any taxing authority relating to Taxes, (xii) the Empire Property does
not
directly or indirectly secure any debt the interest on which is tax-exempt
under
Section 103(a) of the Code, and (xiv) the Empire Property is not a “tax-exempt
use property” within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code.
24
(i) Foreign
Person. Empire is not a “foreign person” as defined by Internal
Revenue Code Section 1445.
(j) ERISA. Empire
is not an “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, a
“plan,” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, or an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” within the meaning of 29
C.F.R. Sec. 2510.3-101 of any such employee benefit plan or plans.
13.2. Concord
acknowledges and agrees that, except as set forth in this Agreement, Empire
has
not made, does not make and specifically negates and disclaims any
representations, warranties, promises, covenants, agreements or guaranties
of
any kind or character whatsoever, whether express or implied, oral or written,
past or present, of, as to, concerning or with respect to the Empire
Operations. Additionally, no Person acting on behalf of Empire is
authorized to make, and by execution hereof Concord acknowledges that no person
has made, on behalf of Empire, any representation, agreement, statement,
warranty, guaranty or promise regarding the Empire Operations or the
transactions contemplated herein other than the representations, agreements,
statements, warranties, guaranties and promises contained in this Agreement;
and
no such other representation, warranty, agreement, guaranty, statement or
promise, if any, made by any person acting on behalf of Empire shall be valid
or
binding upon Empire unless specifically set forth herein. Concord
further acknowledges and agrees that to the extent permitted by law, the
contribution of the Empire Operations to the Company as provided for herein
is
made on an “as is” condition and basis with all faults except as expressly
provided in this Agreement.
13.3. At
the Closing, and as a condition thereof, without limitation of any other
obligation of Empire contained in this Agreement, Empire shall warrant and
represent to Concord and the Company on the date of Closing in writing that
all
representations made by Empire in this Agreement continue to be true and correct
in all material respects as of the date of Closing as if they were made on
the
date of such Closing.
13.4. Empire
shall indemnify and defend Concord and the Company against, and hold Concord
and
the Company harmless from, any and all claims, losses, costs, damages,
liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable counsel
fees
and counsel fees incurred to enforce this indemnity) arising out of a breach
by
Empire of its warranties, representations and covenants hereunder.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Empire
shall indemnify and defend Concord and the Company against, and hold Concord
and
the Company harmless from, any and all losses, costs, damages, liabilities
and
expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and counsel
fees incurred to enforce this indemnity) arising in connection with the
ownership and operation by Empire of its video gaming machine and racing
businesses on the Empire Land, and its use of the Empire License prior to the
Closing Date.
13.5. Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no representations, warranties,
covenants, indemnifications or other obligations of Empire set forth in this
Agreement shall survive the Closing, and no action based thereon shall be
commenced after the Closing. In the event that a representation,
warranty, covenant or indemnification of Empire survives the Closing pursuant
to
the terms of this Agreement, such representation, warranty, covenant or
indemnification shall not survive beyond a period of twelve (12) months from
the
date of the Closing, except to the extent that Concord shall have delivered
notice of a breach on or before such twelve (12) month anniversary.
25
14.
|
Closing
Deliveries
|
14.1. At
the Closing, Concord shall deliver the following:
(a) A
bargain and sale deed with covenants (the “Concord Deed”), duly executed and
acknowledged by Concord, in proper form for recording in the State of New York
conveying the Concord Property to the Company subject only to the Concord
Permitted Exceptions.
(b) The
duly executed Operating Agreement.
(c) Either
(i) one or more agreements with the State of New York or any of its political
subdivisions or any agency thereof pursuant to which any such entity shall
agree
to provide, either alone or in conjunction with a third-party lender, financing
or other assistance to the Company in connection with the Company’s proposed
development of the Concord Property and consistent with the scope of such
proposed development pursuant to the Development Plan (the “State Agreement”)
and/or (ii) one or more agreements with a third-party lender pursuant to which
such third-party lender(s) shall agree to provide, either alone or in
conjunction with such financing or other assistance as may be provided by the
State of New York or its entities, financing to the Company in connection with
the proposed development of the Concord Property and consistent with the scope
of such proposed development pursuant to the Development Plan (the “Other
Financing Agreement”).
(d) A
xxxx of sale in the form of Exhibit H-1 relating to the Concord Personal
Property.
(e) To
the extent they are then in Concord’s possession and not posted at the Concord
Property, and to the extent not previously delivered by Concord to the Company,
certificates, licenses, permits, authorizations and approvals issued for or
with
respect to the Concord Property by governmental and quasi-governmental
authorities having jurisdiction.
(f) Such
affidavits as the Title Company shall reasonably require in order to omit from
its title insurance policy all exceptions for judgments, bankruptcies or other
returns against persons or entities whose names are the same as or similar
to
Concord’s name.
(g) Evidence
satisfactory to the Title Company that all necessary approvals, licenses and/or
consents have been obtained and such other evidence satisfactory to the Title
Company of Concord’s authority and the authority of the signatory on behalf of
Concord to convey the Concord Property pursuant to this Agreement.
(h) A
certification of non-foreign status, in form required by the Code Withholding
Section, signed under penalty of perjury. Concord understands that
such certification will be retained by the Company and will be made available
to
the Internal Revenue Service on request.
26
(i) Concord
shall deliver possession of the Concord Property to the Company in the condition
required by this Agreement.
(j) An
assignment by Concord to the Company of the Concord Service Contracts, the
Concord Insurance Policies, the Concord Licenses and the Concord Plans, together
with all guaranties and warranties benefiting the Concord Property which are
then in effect and are assignable by Concord.
(k) A
certificate of Concord confirming that the warranties and representations of
Concord set forth in this Agreement are true and complete on and as of the
Closing Date (the statements made in such certificate shall be subject to the
same limitations on survival as are applicable to Concord’s representations and
warranties under Section 12.5 of this Agreement).
(l) An
original of a closing statement setting forth the closing adjustments and
prorations and the application thereof at the Closing (the “Closing
Statement”).
(m) Any
other documents required by this Agreement to be delivered by
Concord.
14.2.
At the Closing, Empire shall, without limitation of Empire’s obligations under
this Agreement, deliver the following:
(a) An
assignment by Empire to the Company of the Empire Operations, free and clear
of
any Lien or other encumbrance, and the delivery of the Empire Licenses to the
Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 20 of this Agreement, together with an
irrevocable instruction to the Escrow Agent to automatically release the Empire
Licenses to the Company upon the issuance of a Temporary Certificate of
Occupancy.
(b) The
duly executed Operating Agreement.
(c) Copies
of any consent, waiver, authorization, permit, or approval obtained from any
third party or governmental entity, including but not limited to any Racing
Authority or Gaming Authority, authorizing transfer of the Empire Operations
to
the Company.
(d) Either
(i) the State Agreement and/or (ii) the Other Financing Agreement.
(e) Either
(i) certain documents from Empire reasonably required by the Bank of Scotland
in
connection with the assignment by Empire of that certain credit facility
provided by the Bank of Scotland in the maximum principal amount of Ten Million
and 00/100 Dollars ($10,000,000.00), due in January of 2009 (the “Credit
Facility”) to the Company, and the Company’s assumption of such Credit Facility
(the “Credit Facility Assignment”) or (ii) any and all
payments required by the Bank of Scotland in connection with the full repayment
of all amounts outstanding under of the Credit Facility and the termination
thereof (the “Credit Facility Termination”).
27
(f) A
certification of non-foreign status, in form required by the Code Withholding
Section, signed under penalty of perjury. Empire understands that
such certification will be retained by the Company and will be made available
to
the Internal Revenue Service on request.
(g) A
certificate of Empire confirming that the warranties and representations of
Empire set forth in this Agreement are true and complete on and as of the
Closing Date (the statements made in such certificate shall be subject to the
same limitations on survival as are applicable to Empire’s representations and
warranties under Section 13.5 of this Agreement).
(h) An
original of the Closing Statement.
(i) Any
other documents required by this Agreement to be delivered by
Empire.
14.3 At
the Closing, each of Concord and Empire, without limitation of either party’s
obligations under this Agreement, shall cause the Company to deliver the
following:
(a)
Either (i) the State Agreement and/or (ii) the Other Financing
Agreement.
(b)
Checks to the order of the appropriate officers in payment of all applicable
real property transfer taxes applicable to the contribution of the Concord
Property to the Company and copies of any required tax returns therefor, which
checks shall be certified or official bank checks if required by the taxing
authority.
(c)
The Credit Facility Assignment, if any.
15.
|
Broker
|
15.1. Concord
represents and warrants to Empire that it has not dealt or negotiated with,
or
engaged on its own behalf or for its benefit, any broker, finder, consultant,
advisor, or professional in the capacity of a broker or finder (each a “Broker”)
in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby. Concord hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Empire
and the Company harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, causes
of
action, losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court
costs and disbursements) arising from any claim for commission, fees or other
compensation or reimbursement for expenses made by a Broker engaged by or
claiming to have dealt with Concord in connection with this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
15.2. Empire
represents and warrants to Concord that it has not dealt or negotiated with,
or
engaged on its own behalf or for its benefit, any Broker in connection with
this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Empire hereby
agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Concord and the Company harmless from
and
against any and all claims, demands, causes of action,
losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs
and disbursements) arising from any claim for commission, fees or other
compensation or reimbursement for expenses made by any Broker engaged by or
claiming to have dealt with Empire in connection with this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
28
15.3. The
representations and obligations under this Article 15 shall survive the Closing
or, if the Closing does not occur, the termination of this
Agreement.
16.
|
Casualty
and Condemnation Prior to
Closing
|
16.1. In
the event that all or part of the Concord Property is taken by, or made the
subject of, any condemnation or eminent domain proceeding between the date
of
this Agreement and the Closing Date, Concord shall promptly notify Empire,
and
the following provisions shall apply:
(a) If
a Material Taking of the Concord Property occurs, Empire, by written notice
to
Concord delivered within ten (10) days after Empire receives written notice
of
such taking, may elect to terminate this Agreement. If Empire shall
so elect, this Agreement shall be null and void and the parties hereto shall
be
relieved and released of and from any further liability hereunder and with
respect to each other, other than any liability, which is expressly stated
to
survive the termination of this Agreement.
(b) If
(i) an Immaterial Taking of the Concord Property occurs, or (ii) a
Material Taking of the Concord Property occurs and Empire does not timely elect
to terminate this Agreement, then, in any such event, Concord shall pay or
assign to the Company at the Closing any condemnation award received or
receivable from any Governmental Entity in connection with any such condemnation
or eminent domain proceeding, all claims against any Governmental Entity as
a
result of the losses suffered as a result of such condemnation or eminent domain
proceeding.
16.2. Concord
shall maintain in effect until the Closing Date its existing insurance policies
with respect to the Concord Property. In the event of damage to the
Concord Property by fire or any other casualty insured under Concord’s policies,
Concord shall promptly notify Empire. Concord shall pay or assign to
the Company at the Closing all monies received or receivable from the insurance
companies which wrote such policies, in each case, with respect to the Concord
Property and all claims against such insurance companies as a result of the
losses covered by such policies and shall pay to the Company at the Closing
the
cost of repairing any uncovered damage, including any deductible under such
policies.
17.
|
Condition
of the Property;
Representations
|
EMPIRE
EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT,
NEITHER CONCORD NOR ANY PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF CONCORD NOR ANY PERSON OR
ENTITY WHICH PREPARED OR PROVIDED ANY OF THE MATERIALS REVIEWED BY EMPIRE IN
CONDUCTING ITS DUE DILIGENCE, NOR ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT OFFICER, DIRECTOR,
PARTNER, MEMBER, SHAREHOLDER, EMPLOYEE, AGENT, REPRESENTATIVE, ACCOUNTANT,
ADVISOR, ATTORNEY, PRINCIPAL, AFFILIATE, CONSULTANT OR, SUCCESSOR OR
ASSIGN
OF
ANY OF THE FOREGOING PARTIES (CONCORD AND ALL OF THE OTHER PARTIES DESCRIBED
IN
THE PRECEDING PORTIONS OF THIS SENTENCE (OTHER THAN EMPIRE) SHALL BE REFERRED
TO
HEREIN COLLECTIVELY AS THE “CONCORD EXCULPATED PARTIES”) HAS MADE OR SHALL BE
DEEMED TO HAVE MADE ANY ORAL OR WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WHETHER
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, BY
29
OPERATION
OF LAW OR OTHERWISE (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF HABITABILITY,
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE), WITH RESPECT TO THE
CONCORD PROPERTY, THE PERMITTED USE OF THE CONCORD PROPERTY OR THE ZONING AND
OTHER LAWS, REGULATIONS AND RULES APPLICABLE THERETO OR THE COMPLIANCE BY THE
CONCORD PROPERTY THEREWITH, THE REVENUES AND EXPENSES GENERATED BY OR ASSOCIATED
WITH THE CONCORD PROPERTY, OR OTHERWISE RELATING TO THE CONCORD PROPERTY OR
THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN. EMPIRE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT,
EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, ALL MATERIALS WHICH HAVE BEEN
PROVIDED BY ANY OF THE CONCORD EXCULPATED PARTIES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITHOUT
ANY
WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO THEIR CONTENT,
SUITABILITY FOR ANY PURPOSE, ACCURACY, TRUTHFULNESS OR COMPLETENESS AND, EXCEPT
AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, EMPIRE SHALL NOT HAVE ANY RECOURSE
AGAINST CONCORD OR ANY OF THE OTHER CONCORD EXCULPATED PARTIES IN THE EVENT
OF
ANY ERRORS THEREIN OR OMISSIONS THEREFROM. EMPIRE, AS A MEMBER OF THE
COMPANY, SHALL DIRECT THE COMPANY TO ACCEPT THE CONCORD PROPERTY “AS IS” BASED
SOLELY ON EMPIRE’S OWN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND INSPECTION OF THE CONCORD
PROPERTY AND NOT IN RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY CONCORD OR ANY
OF
THE OTHER CONCORD EXCULPATED PARTIES, EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS EXPRESSLY
SET FORTH HEREIN.
CONCORD
EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT,
NEITHER EMPIRE NOR ANY PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF EMPIRE NOR ANY PERSON OR
ENTITY WHICH PREPARED OR PROVIDED ANY OF THE MATERIALS REVIEWED BY CONCORD
IN
CONDUCTING ITS DUE DILIGENCE, NOR ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT OFFICER, DIRECTOR,
PARTNER, MEMBER, SHAREHOLDER, EMPLOYEE, AGENT, REPRESENTATIVE, ACCOUNTANT,
ADVISOR, ATTORNEY, PRINCIPAL, AFFILIATE, CONSULTANT OR, SUCCESSOR OR ASSIGN
OF
ANY OF THE FOREGOING PARTIES (EMPIRE AND ALL OF THE OTHER PARTIES DESCRIBED
IN
THE PRECEDING PORTIONS OF THIS SENTENCE (OTHER THAN CONCORD) SHALL BE REFERRED
TO HEREIN COLLECTIVELY AS THE “EMPIRE EXCULPATED PARTIES”) HAS MADE OR SHALL BE
DEEMED TO HAVE MADE ANY ORAL OR WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WHETHER
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, BY OPERATION OF LAW OR OTHERWISE, WITH RESPECT TO THE
EMPIRE OPERATIONS OR THE LAWS, REGULATIONS AND RULES APPLICABLE THERETO, THE
REVENUES AND EXPENSES GENERATED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH THE EMPIRE OPERATIONS,
OR
OTHERWISE RELATING TO THE EMPIRE OPERATIONS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
HEREIN. CONCORD FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, EXCEPT AS
EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, ALL MATERIALS WHICH HAVE BEEN PROVIDED
BY
ANY OF THE EMPIRE EXCULPATED PARTIES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY
OR
REPRESENTATION, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO THEIR CONTENT, SUITABILITY FOR ANY
PURPOSE, ACCURACY, TRUTHFULNESS OR COMPLETENESS AND, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET
FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, CONCORD SHALL NOT HAVE ANY RECOURSE AGAINST EMPIRE
OR
ANY OF THE OTHER EMPIRE EXCULPATED PARTIES IN THE EVENT OF ANY ERRORS THEREIN
OR
OMISSIONS THEREFROM. CONCORD, AS A MEMBER OF THE COMPANY, SHALL
DIRECT THE COMPANY TO ACCEPT THE EMPIRE OPERATIONS “AS IS” BASED SOLELY ON
CONCORD’S OWN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND INSPECTION OF THE EMPIRE OPERATIONS
AND NOT IN RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY EMPIRE OR ANY OF THE OTHER
EMPIRE EXCULPATED PARTIES, EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH
HEREIN.
30
The
delivery of items specified in Section 14.1 and 14.3 of this Agreement, and
the
acceptance thereof by Empire or the Company, as applicable, shall be deemed
the
full performance and discharge of every obligation on the part of Concord to
be
performed hereunder, except those obligations of Concord which are expressly
stated in this Agreement to survive the Closing. The delivery of items specified
in Section 14.2 and 14.3 of this Agreement, and the acceptance thereof by
Concord or the Company, as applicable, shall be deemed the full performance
and
discharge of every obligation on the part of Empire to be performed hereunder,
except those obligations of Empire which are expressly stated in this Agreement
to survive the Closing.
18.
|
Default
|
18.1. If
on the Closing Date, Concord has not fully performed its obligations hereunder,
and has not cured the same within fifteen (15) days of written notice thereof
from Empire (a “Concord Default”), Empire shall have the right to elect one of
the following rights and remedies:
(a) Empire
shall have the right to waive the breach or default and proceed to Closing
in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; or
(b) If
the default has a Material Adverse Effect, Empire shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement; and/or
(c) Empire
may avail itself of any rights or remedies it may have at law or in equity
on
account of Concord’s breach or default.
18.2. If
on the Closing Date, Empire has not fully performed its obligations hereunder,
and has not cured the same within fifteen (15) days of written notice thereof
from Concord (an “Empire Default”), Concord shall have the right to elect one of
the following rights and remedies:
(a) Concord
shall have the right to waive the breach or default and proceed to Closing
in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; or
(b) If
the default has a Material Adverse Effect, Concord shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement; and/or
31
(c) Concord
may, as its sole remedy, bring an action for specific performance of the terms
of this Agreement; provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if there
shall
occur any Empire Change of Control prior to such time as either such Empire
Default has been cured by Empire or such Empire Default has been waived by
Concord pursuant to the terms of this Section 18.2, then Concord may avail
itself of any rights or remedies it may have at law or in equity on account
of
Empire’s breach or default.
18.3. The
parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that
any
party fails to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and that the parties shall be
entitled to specific performance in such event, in addition to any other remedy
at law or in equity.
19.
|
Conditions
Precedent to Closing.
|
19.1. Conditions
to Concord’s Obligations. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Agreement, the obligations of Concord to consummate
the transactions contemplated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the
Operating Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Concord
on
or prior to the Closing Date of all of the following conditions:
(a) The
representations and warranties of Empire contained in Section 13.1 of this
Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and as of the Closing
as though made on and as of the Closing (except that those representations
and
warranties which address matters only as of a particular date need only be
true
and correct as of such date). Concord shall have received a
certificate of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of Empire
to that effect.
(b) The
Company and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Company shall have entered into a mutually
agreeable construction management agreement reated to the Project with such
commercially reasonable and customary terms as the Company and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Company shall agree to include; provided, that such agreement shall (i) contain
a guaranteed maximum price, (iii) shall be on an AIA form and shall amend the
General Conditions of such AIA form to provide for reimbursement to Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxx Company at 1.2 times the aggregate costs incurred by Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Company in connection with the General Conditions incurred with respect to
the
development and/or construction of the Concord Property and (ii) specify that
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Company shall provide payment and performance bonds reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to each of the third-party lenders that
shall
provide financing to the Company in connection with the proposed development
of
the Concord Property and the Company and any other necessary guarantees that
are
required by any such third-party lender (the “Construction
Contract”).
(c) The
Company and Concord shall have entered into a mutually agreeable development
management agreement related to the Project with such commercially reasonable
and customary terms as the Company and Concord shall agree to
include.
(d) The
Empire Operations shall be conveyed to the Company and shall be free and clear
of any Liens; provided, that the Empire Licenses shall be delivered to the
Escrow Agent pursuant to the provisions of Section 20 of this Agreement, to
be
automatically conveyed to the Company upon the issuance to the Company of a
Temporary Certificate of Occupancy.
32
(e) Empire
shall have performed all of its obligations and covenants under this Agreement
except those the failure of which to be performed shall not have had or be
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, as determined in good
faith
by Concord in Concord’s reasonable discretion.
(f) Empire
shall have executed and delivered at Closing the documents, instruments
agreements set forth in Section 14.2 hereof.
(g)
Concord shall have received from its Management Committee written notice
approving the transaction, including without limitation, a determination
that
the transaction is fair to Concord, and all other consents,
approvals, filings, registrations and notices required to be obtained or
made by
Concord in connection with this Agreement shall have been obtained or made
and
shall be in full force and effect.
(h) All
consents, approvals, filings, registrations and notices required to be obtained
or made by Empire under applicable racing and gaming laws in connection with
this Agreement and the transfer of the Empire Licenses to the Company,
including, without limitation, from the New York State Racing and Wagering
Board
and the Division of the Lottery of the State of New York, shall have been
obtained or made and shall be in full force and effect.
(i) The
Company shall become a “Volunteer” pursuant to a Xxxxxxxxxx Agreement to be
entered into with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
and Concord shall be satisfied, in Concord’s reasonable discretion, that the
transactions contemplated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including
the
transfer of the Concord Property to the Company, shall not adversely effect
Concord’s ability to receive any Xxxxxxxxxx Tax Credits with respect to any
environmental remediation on the Concord Property.
(j) No
decision, order or similar ruling shall have been issued (and remain in effect)
restraining or enjoining the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
the
Operating Agreement, or that would prevent, materially delay or materially
impair the ability of the Company to develop, construct and operate a hotel,
a
convention center, a harness racetrack, and a Class II gaming facility on the
Concord Property, after the Closing of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(k) The
State of New York shall have extended the term of the Empire Licenses for a
period of no less than thirty (30) years or any such other period of time as
shall be required by any third-party lender which, by itself or together with
the State of New York, shall provide financing to the Company consistent with
the scope of the proposed development of the Concord Property pursuant to the
Development Plan.
19.2. Conditions
to Empire’s Obligations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, the obligations of Empire to consummate the
transactions contemplated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the
Operating Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Empire
on
or prior to the Closing Date of all of the following conditions:
(a) The
representations and warranties of Concord contained in Section 12.1 of this
Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and as of the Closing
as though made on and as of the Closing (except that those representations
and
warranties which address
matters only as of a particular date need only be true and correct as of such
date). Empire shall have received a certificate of the Chief
Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of Concord to that
effect.
33
(b) The
Company shall receive a policy of title insurance from the Title Company
pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 9.1(C) of this Agreement, and
the Concord Property shall be conveyed to the Company and shall be free and
clear of any Liens other than the Concord Permitted Exceptions.
(c) Concord
shall have performed all of its obligations and covenants under this Agreement
except those the failure of which to be performed shall not have had or be
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, as determined in good
faith
by Empire in Empire’s reasonable discretion.
(d) Concord
shall have executed and delivered at Closing the documents, instruments
agreements set forth in Section 14.1 hereof.
(e) No
decision, order or similar ruling shall have been issued (and remain in effect)
restraining or enjoining the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
the
Operating Agreement, or that would prevent, materially delay or materially
impair the ability of the Company to develop, construct and operate a hotel,
a
convention center, a harness racetrack, and a Class II gaming facility on the
Concord Property after the Closing of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(f)
Empire shall have received from its financial advisors, a written opinion
addressed to Empire, its Board of Directors and stockholders to the effect
that
the consideration to be received by Empire’s stockholders is fair to the
Empire’s stockholders from a financial point of view.
(g) If
required by law, the Empire Requisite Vote shall have been
obtained.
(h) All
consents, approvals, filings, registrations and notices required to be obtained
or made by Empire under applicable racing and gaming laws or any other laws
in
connection with this Agreement and the transfer of the Empire Operations to
the
Company, including, without limitation, from the New York State Racing and
Wagering Board and the Division of the Lottery of the State of New York, shall
have been obtained or made and shall be in full force and effect.
(i)
Empire shall have either repurchased the Sixty Five Million and 00/100 Dollars
($65,000,000.00) of 5 ½% Convertible Senior Notes, due in the year 2014 and
callable in July of 2009, issued by Empire (the “Notes”) or shall have
obtained the consent of the holders of the Notes to the transactions
contemplated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to assume any existing
obligation of Empire under the Notes at Closing.
(j)
In the event that a Credit Facility Termination is not signed at or prior to
Closing, then Empire shall have obtained the consent of the Bank of Scotland,
if
required, to enter into the Credit Facility Assignment.
34
(k) The
Pro Forma Financial Statement of the Company shall reflect that Empire is
expected to receive annual distributions of Cash Flow in an amount that equals
or exceeds the Reimbursement Amount after the Closing Date (or, in the case
of a
partial year, the applicable percentage of the Reimbursement
Amount).
(l) The
financing secured by the Company at Closing in connection with the development
of the Concord Property shall authorize the Company to
distribute FIFTY MILLION and 00/100 DOLLARS ($50,000,000.00) to
Empire as a return of Empire’s initial capital contribution to the Company on
the Closing Date, and the Company shall make such distribution to Empire on
the
Closing Date.
(m) Empire
and the Company shall have entered into a mutually agreeable gaming management
agreement related to the Project on such commercially reasonable and customary
terms as Empire and the Company shall agree to include.
(n) Empire
and the Company shall have entered into a mutually agreeable hotel management
agreement related to the Project on such commercially reasonable and customary
terms as Empire and the Company shall agree to include.
(o) Empire
and the Company shall have entered into a mutually agreeable casino development
agreement related to the Project on such commercially reasonable and customary
terms as Empire and the Company shall agree to include.
(p) Empire
shall in its sole good faith discretion be satisfied that Concord has received
and continues to possess all necessary governmental approvals for the
development and construction of a project on the Concord Property consisting
of
all of the following improvements consistent with the scope of the Development
Plan: (i) a hotel, (ii) a convention center, (iii) a casino and (iv) harness
racetrack (referred to in this Section 19 as the "Project").
19.3 Termination
(a) This
Agreement may be terminated by either Concord or Empire, by written notice
(the
“Section 19.3(a) Termination Notice”), with a copy of such written notice to be
sent to Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, c/o Cappelli Enterprises, Inc., 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, if, on or before May 1, 2008, Concord has neither
(i)
received from its Management Committee written notice approving the transaction
and otherwise satisfied the conditions set forth in Section 19.1(g) of this
Agreement, nor (ii) waived the conditions set forth in Section 19.1(g) of
this
Agreement; provided, that, as consideration for the rights granted to Concord
pursuant to Section 19.1(g) of this Agreement and this Section 19.3(a), if
Concord fails to either satisfy or waive the conditions set forth in Section
19.1(g) of this Agreement on or before May 1, 2008 and either Concord or
Empire
exercises the termination rights granted under this Section 19.3(a), then
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx shall pay to Empire the sum of One Million and 00/100 Dollars
($1,000,000.00), plus all costs and expenses (including but not
limited to reasonable attorneys fees), if any, incurred by Empire in the
event
that such payment is not made as herein provided (the “Termination Payment”)
within ten (10) days of the date of receipt of the Section 19.3(a) Termination
Notice.
(b)
This Agreement may be terminated by either Empire or Concord, by written notice,
unless, on or before June 30, 2008, (i) either the State of New York has
provided for an appropriation or some other form of assistance in its annual
budget that will enable State supported financing for the Company’s proposed
development of the Concord Property consistent with the scope of such proposed
development pursuant to the Development Plan or Concord has secured a signed
financing commitment from any third-party lender for the Company’s proposed
development of the Concord Property, which by itself or together with such
State
supported financing, is consistent with the scope of such proposed development
pursuant to the Development Plan, and (ii) Pro Forma Financial Statements
evidencing Cash Flow after debt service of at least $10 million and a 1.3 times
debt service coverage ratio (assuming customary definitions for debt service
and
debt service coverage ratio) are available that reflect the terms of such
financing; provided, that if at any time between the Effective Date of this
Agreement and June 30, 2008 the conditions provided for in (i) and (ii) above
have occurred and an injunction, moratorium, or other legal impediment of
general application is imposed (whether by action of public authority or
pursuant to private action, a “Moratorium”) that either (a) precludes either
Empire or Concord from proceeding
with the transactions set forth pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (b)
precludes Concord from proceeding with the approvals process and/or (c) would
preclude Concord from developing the Concord Property pursuant to the
Development Plan at Closing, then the time period provided for above shall
be
extended by one (1) day for each day that such Moratorium remains in effect
so
long as the parties continue to diligently work toward the resolution and/or
removal of any such Moratorium; provided, further, that if either Concord and/or
Empire shall directly cause or suffer there to exist any Moratorium, then the
other party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement if the conditions
set forth this Section 19.3(b) have not been satisfied on or before June 30,
2008 regardless of the existence of such Moratorium.
35
(c)
In the event that the Closing Date has not occurred on or before August 31,
2008, this Agreement may be terminated by Empire, by written notice, if on
or
before August 31, 2008 the terms and conditions of the Indenture pursuant to
which the Notes have been issued have not been amended, waived, modified or
extended, or a sufficient amount of Notes have not been redeemed, in each case
to the satisfaction of Empire, in Empire’s sole discretion. The existence of any
Moratorium shall not affect Empire’s rights pursuant to this Section
19.3(c).
(d)
In the event that the Closing Date has not occurred on or before October
31, 2008, this Agreement may be terminated by Empire, by written
notice, if on or before October 31, 2008, either (i) the Bank of Scotland has
not agreed to extend the term of the Credit Facility for a period of one (1)
year or such longer period of time as a Moratorium may exist, or (ii) Concord
and/or its affiliates shall not have assumed the obligations of Empire under
the
Credit Facility. The existence of any Moratorium shall not affect Empire’s
rights pursuant to this Section 19.3(d).
(e)
In the event that the Closing Date has not occurred on or before December 31,
2008, this Agreement may be terminated by either Empire or Concord, by written
notice; provided, that if a Moratorium has been imposed, then the Closing Date
shall be extended for so long as the parties continue to diligently work toward
the resolution and/or removal of any such Moratorium, but no later than December
31, 2010; provided, further, that if either Concord and/or Empire shall directly
cause there to exist any Moratorium, then such other party shall have the right
to terminate this Agreement if the Closing has not occurred on or before
December 31, 2008 regardless of the existence of such Moratorium.
20.
|
Escrow.
|
Empire
and the Escrow Agent shall enter into a mutually agreeable escrow agreement
on
such commercially reasonable and customary terms as Empire, Concord and the
Escrow Agent shall agree to include, which escrow agreement shall provide that
upon the issuance of a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy to the Company, the
Escrow Agent shall automatically, and without requiring any further action
to be
undertaken by Empire, Concord or the Company, release the Empire Licenses to
the
Company, and such instruction shall be irrevocable by Empire.
21.
|
Notices
|
Any
notice or communication which may be or is required to be given pursuant to
the
terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent to the respective
party at the addresses set forth below, postage prepaid, by certified mail,
return receipt requested, by a nationally recognized overnight courier service
that provides tracing and proof of receipt of
36
items
mailed or by facsimile provided that if notices are given by facsimile a copy
thereof must be sent on the same day by nationally recognized overnight courier
service that provides tracing and proof of receipt of items mailed for next
business day delivery. Notices shall be effective upon the date of receipt
or
refusal of receipt. Either party may change the address to which notices to
it
shall be sent by a notice sent in accordance with the requirements of this
Section.
To
Concord:
|
|
Concord
Associates, L.P.
|
|
C/o
Cappelli Enterprises, Inc.
|
|
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
|
|
Attention:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
|
Fax
No.: 000-000-0000
|
|
With
a copy to:
|
|
XxxXxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
|
|
Xxxx
& Xxxxxxxxxx, LLP
|
|
Xxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
|
|
Attn: Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
|
|
Fax
No.: 000-000-0000
|
|
To
Empire:
|
|
Empire
Resorts, Inc.
|
|
X/x
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxx
00X
|
|
Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
|
|
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Fax
No.: 000-000-0000
|
|
With
a copy to:
|
|
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Frome Xxxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
|
|
00
Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
|
|
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
|
|
Attn:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
|
|
Fax
No.: (000) 000-0000
|
|
22.
|
Class
III Gaming Facility.
|
22.1 Concord
is aware that, at a certain point in the future, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
(the
“Tribe”) may obtain all necessary licenses and approvals (the “Class III
Licenses”) that shall be
required to operate a Class III gaming facility on the Land in Trust
Property. Concord hereby agrees to endorse the construction of a
Class III gaming facility on the Land in Trust Property, and hereby agrees
to
support the Tribe in its efforts to obtain the Class III
Licenses. Concord acknowledges that Empire may plan and develop
resort, hotel, entertainment and/or retail facilities on the Empire Land (the
“Class III Actions”), and Concord hereby endorses the Class III Actions and the
aforesaid development of the Empire Land.
37
22.2 In
furtherance of Concord’s commitment pursuant to Section 22.1 of this Agreement,
commencing on the Effective Date, Empire shall have the right to require Concord
to purchase (the “Put Option”) up to one million (1,000,000) shares of the
common stock of Empire (the “Empire Common Stock”) at a price of ONE and 00/100
DOLLAR ($1.00) per share (the “Option Purchase Price”); provided, that Empire
shall covenant to use any and all funds received from Concord as a result of
Empire’s exercise of the Put Option to fund the Class III
Actions. Empire shall exercise such option by sending written notice
(the “Option Notice”) to Concord stating that it is exercising the Put Option
ten (10) business days prior to the date that it shall exercise the Put
Option. The Option Purchase Price for the Empire Common Stock shall
be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds and Empire shall convey
the Empire Common Stock to Concord or its designee free and clear of all liens
and encumbrances. Each of Empire and Concord agrees to cooperate and
to take all actions and execute all documents reasonably necessary or
appropriate to reflect the purchase of the Empire Common Stock by
Concord. All transfer, stamp and recording taxes and fees imposed on
either Empire or Concord as a result of the Put Option shall be payable by
Concord. Concord shall make such investment representations to Empire
as may reasonably required in connection with such issuance.
23.
|
Miscellaneous
|
23.1 Legalization. If
at any time prior to Closing both (i) a Moratorium exists and (ii) Legalization
occurs, then each of Concord and Empire shall use best efforts to close a
transaction substantially similar to the transactions outlined in this
Agreement, but amended to contemplate the development of a casino facility
comparable to a Class III gaming facility, sugh gaming facility to operate
table
games (including but not limited to Baccarat, Blackjack and Craps) on the
Concord Property, as soon as reasonably practical notwithstanding that certain
conditions to Closing outlined in Sections 19.1 and 19.2 of this Agreement
have
not been satisfied.
23.2. Headings. The
article and paragraph headings of this Agreement are for convenience only and
in
no way limit or enlarge the scope or meaning of the language
hereof.
23.3. Invalidity
and Waiver. If any portion of this Agreement is held invalid or
inoperative, then so far as is reasonable and possible the remainder of this
Agreement shall be deemed valid and operative, and, to the greatest extent
legally possible, effect shall be given to the intent manifested by the portion
held invalid or inoperative. The failure by either party to enforce
against the other any term or provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed
to
be a waiver of such party’s right to enforce against the other party the same or
any other such term or provision in the future.
23.4. Governing
Law. This Agreement shall, in all respects, be governed,
construed, applied, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
New
York.
23.5. Survival. The
provisions of this Agreement that contemplate performance after the Closing
and
the obligations of the parties not fully performed at the Closing shall survive
the Closing and shall not be deemed to be merged into or waived by the
instruments of Closing.
23.6. No
Third Party Beneficiary. This Agreement is not intended to give
or confer any benefits, rights, privileges, claims, actions, or remedies to
any
person or entity as a third party beneficiary, decree, or
otherwise.
23.7. Entirety
and Amendments. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement
between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings
relating to the Property. This Agreement may be amended or
supplemented only by an instrument in writing executed by the party against
whom
enforcement is sought.
38
23.8. Attorneys’
Fees. Should either party employ attorneys to enforce any of the
provisions hereof, the party against whom any final judgment is entered agrees
to pay the prevailing party all reasonable costs, charges, and expenses,
including reasonable attorneys’ fees, expended or incurred in connection
therewith.
23.9. Construction. The
parties acknowledge that the parties and their counsel have reviewed and revised
this Agreement and agree that the normal rule of construction to the effect
that
any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be
employed in the interpretation of this Agreement or any exhibits or amendments
hereto.
23.10. Calculation
of Time Periods. Unless otherwise specified, in computing any
period of time described herein, the day of the act or event after which the
designated period of time begins to run is not to be included and the last
day
of the period so computed is to be included at unless such last day is a
Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday for national banks in the State of New York,
in which event the period shall run until the end of the next day which is
neither a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The last day of any
period of time described herein shall be deemed to end at 5:00 p.m. New York
time.
23.11. Binding
Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted
assigns.
23.12. Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of identical counterparts, each of
which
shall be an original and all of which counterparts taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.
23.13. No
Recordation. Concord and Empire each agrees that neither this
Agreement nor any memorandum or notice hereof shall be recorded.
23.14. Further
Assurances. Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided,
each of the parties hereto shall execute and deliver such documents as the
other
party shall reasonably request in order to consummate and make effective the
transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the
execution and delivery of such documents by such party shall not result in
any
additional liability or cost to such party. The provisions of this
Section 23.13 shall survive the Closing.
23.15. Assignment. The
benefits of this Agreement may not be assigned by either Concord or Empire
without the other party’s prior written consent.
23.16. Jurisdiction. With
respect to any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the
Property (“Proceedings”) each party irrevocably (a) submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of New York,
in New York County and (b) waives any objection which it may have at any time
to
the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any
claim that such Proceedings have been brought
in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect
to
such Proceedings, that such court does not have jurisdiction over such
party.
39
23.17. WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL.
EACH
PARTY HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR
COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY THE OTHER PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY MATTER ARISING
OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE RELATIONSHIP OF EMPIRE
AND CONCORD HEREUNDER.
[Signature
pages follow]
40
WITNESS
the execution hereof, under seal, as of the day and year first above
written, in any number of counterpart copies, each of which counterpart copies
shall be deemed an original for all purposes.
CONCORD
ASSOCIATES, L.P.
|
|||
By: Convention
Hotels, LLC, its General Partner
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | ||
Name:
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
|
||
Title:
|
Managing
Member
|
EMPIRE
RESORTS, INC.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||
Name:
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
||
Title:
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
The
obligations puruant to Section 19.3(a) of this Agreement only are
hereby
ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
|
|||
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
|||
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
41
Schedule
B
OPERATING
AGREEMENT
42
LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
CONCORD
EMPIRE
LLC
This
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Concord Empire LLC (the
“Agreement”), a New York limited liability company (the
“Company”), is made and entered into this ____ day of _____________,
2008, by Concord Associates, L.P., a New York limited partnership having an
office at c/o Cappelli Enterprises, Inc., 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx
00000 (“Concord”) and Empire Resorts, Inc., a Delaware corporation having
an office at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000
(“Empire”). Concord and Empire may sometimes be referred to individually
as a “Member” or collectively as the “Members”.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS,
the Company was formed by the filing of the Certificate of Formation of the
Company with the Secretary of State of New York on ________________, 2008,
in
accordance with the Act;
WHEREAS,
the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to provide for the
respective rights, obligations and interests of the parties to each other and
to
the Company and the manner in which the Company and its assets shall be governed
and operated.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises hereof, and of the mutual covenants
and agreements contained herein, the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound
hereby, agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Defined
Terms. The following terms have the meanings hereinafter
indicated whenever used in this Agreement with initial capital
letters:
“Act”
shall mean New York Limited Liability Company Law, XxXxxxxx’x Consolidated Laws
of New York § 201, et seq., as amended and in force from time to
time.
“Additional
Capital Contribution” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5.2.
“Adjacent
Land Project” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.
“Adjusted
Capital Account Deficit” shall mean, with respect to any Member, the deficit
balance, if any, in such Member’s Capital Account as of the end of the relevant
Fiscal Year, after giving effect to the following adjustments:
(a) Crediting
to such Capital Account any amounts that such Member is obligated to restore
pursuant to this Agreement or is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant
to Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(3),
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c), 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and
43
(b) Debiting
to such Capital Account the items described in Regulations Sections
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii) (d)(4), (5) and (6).
The
foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account Deficit is intended to comply
with the provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and
shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
“Affiliate”
shall mean, with respect to a Person, another Person that directly or indirectly
controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such first
Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with
correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common
control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to vote a majority of the securities having voting
power for the election of directors of such Person or otherwise to direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether
through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Agreement”
shall mean this Limited Liability Company Agreement, including all exhibits
and
schedules attached hereto, as amended, modified or otherwise supplemented,
from
time to time.
“Appraisal
Process” shall mean the process pursuant to which the parties shall
determine the fair market value of the Concord Property and the Empire
Operations, and any subsequent contribution of real property to the Company
or
to any other joint venture company formed by the Members pursuant to Article
11
of this Agreement, which process shall include the following:
(i) Promptly
following the Effective Date of the Formation Agreement, each of Concord and
Empire shall select an independent appraiser. Each appraiser shall
determine, within forty-five (45) days after submission of the issue, the fair
market value of each of the Concord Property and the Empire Operations as of
the
Effective Date, at a price a willing buyer would pay a willing seller
(determined free and clear of all monetary liens and encumbrances) in an arm’s
length transaction. The fair market value of the Empire Operations shall be
determined based on the current use of the Empire License at the Empire Property
and Empire’s existing operations, reduced by the amount outstanding under the
Credit Facility on the effective date of the Credit Facility Assignment if
the
Credit Facility is assigned to the Company, but assuming that legislation is
enacted that shall permit Empire to retain forty percent (40%) of revenues
of
the first FIFTY MILLION and 00/100 DOLLARS ($50,000,000.00) earned from the
operation of its video gaming machine business. However, if
legislation is enacted that shall permit Empire to retain in excess of forty
percent (40%) of revenues of the first FIFTY MILLION and 00/100 DOLLARS
($50,000,000.00) earned from the operation of its video gaming machine business
prior to or within forty-five (45) days after the Effective Date of this
Agreement, the fair market value shall be
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based
on
such legislation that is so enacted; provided, however, that the deemed value
of
the Empire Operations shall be the greater of (i) the fair market value of
the
Empire Operations as determined pursuant to the foregoing and after deducting
the amount outstanding under the Credit Facility on the effective date of the
Credit Facility Assignment if the Credit Facility is assigned to the Company
or
(ii) FIFTY MILLION and 00/100 DOLLARS ($50,000,000.00), less the amount
outstanding under the Credit Facility on the effective date of the Credit
Facility Assignment if the Credit Facility is assigned to the Company. The
fair
market value of the Concord Property shall be determined based on the
Governmental Approvals that have been obtained to pursue the Development Plan
on
the Concord Property (which, by way of clarification, shall not assume approval
to build a Class II or Class III casino notwithstanding any such approvals
that
have been obtained by Concord); provided, however, that the deemed value of
the
Concord Property shall be the greater of (i) the fair market value of the
Concord Property as determined pursuant to the foregoing or (ii) FIFTY MILLION
and 00/100 DOLLARS ($50,000,000.00).
(ii) In
the event the fair market value for each appraisal is within 10% of each other,
the average of the two (2) shall be deemed the fair market value of Concord
Property or the Empire Operations, as applicable. If the two (2)
appraisals are more than 10% different, the two (2) appraisers shall jointly
appoint a third independent appraiser on the forty-sixth (46th) day after their
appointment and, if the two (2) appraisers fail to appoint or agree upon the
third appraiser on such day, an appraiser shall be appointed by the
Members.
(iii) If
within thirty (30) days after the appointment of the third appraiser, the two
(2) appraisers cannot agree upon a mutually acceptable fair market value for
either the Concord Property or the Empire Operations, then the third appraiser
shall independently determine the fair market value of such property as of
the
Effective Date within the subsequent thirty (30) day period, and the two (2)
values that are closest shall be averaged to determine the fair market value;
provided, however, if the appraisal of the third appraiser is the arithmetic
mean of the appraisals of the other two (2) appraisers, the third appraisal
shall be used.
“Asset
Value” shall mean, with respect to any asset of the Company (other than
cash), the adjusted basis of such asset as of the relevant date for federal
income tax purposes, except as follows:
(a) the
Asset Value of the Concord Property and the Asset Value of the Empire Operations
shall be determined within ninety (90) days of the Effective Date pursuant
to
the Appraisal Process and then set forth on Exhibit B;
(b) the
Asset Values of all Company assets (including intangible assets such as
goodwill) may be adjusted to equal their respective fair market values as of
the
following times:
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(i) the
acquisition of an additional interest in the Company by any new or existing
Member in exchange for more than a de minimus Capital
Contribution;
(ii) the
distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimus amount
of money or Company property as consideration for an interest in the Company;
or
(iii) the
liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(5)(ii);
(c) the
Asset Value of any Company asset distributed in kind to any Member shall be
the
gross fair market value of such asset on the date of distribution, as determined
by the Members;
(d) the
Asset Values of any Company assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect
any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such assets pursuant to Code Section
734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments
are
taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m); provided that Asset Values shall not be
adjusted pursuant to Code Section 743(b) to the extent that the Members makes
a
corresponding adjustment under subparagraph (b)(ii); and
(e) if
the Asset Value of an asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to
subsection (a) or (b) above, such Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted
by
the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset for purposes
of
computing Profits and Losses and other items allocated pursuant to Article
VII.
The
foregoing definition of Asset Value is intended to comply with the requirements
of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and shall be interpreted and applied
consistently therewith.
“Xxxxxxxxxx
Tax Credits” shall mean any and all benefits available pursuant to the Xxxxxxxxxx
Program administered by the NYSDEC, including but not limited to
Xxxxxxxxxx Real Property Tax Credits provided for by Tax Laws Section 22,
606(ee) and 606(i) and sections related thereto and any Xxxxxxxxxx Redevelopment
Tax Credits provided for by Tax Laws Section 21, 606(dd) and 606(i) and sections
related thereto.
“Business
Day” shall mean any day except Saturday and Sunday or a federal holiday on
which commercial banks are required or authorized to remain closed.
“Buy-Out
Transfer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
8.4(b)(ii).
“Buy/Sell
Closing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
8.4(b)(ii).
“Buy/Sell
Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
8.4(b)(ii).
“Buy/Sell
Closing Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
8.4(b)(ii).
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“Buy/Sell
Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).
“Buying
Member” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).
“Capital
Account” shall mean, with respect to any Member (and without duplication),
the Capital Account maintained for such Member in accordance with the following
provisions:
(f) From
time to time, the Capital Account of each Member shall be increased by (i)
the
amount of any cash contributed by the Member to the Company, (ii) the Asset
Value of any property contributed by the Member to the Company (net
of liabilities that the Company is deemed to have assumed or taken subject
to,
under and pursuant to Section 752 of the Code), and (iii) allocations to the
Member of Profit (or items thereof) and other income and gain pursuant to
Section 7.1, including income and gain exempt from tax, and income and gain
described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g), but excluding items
of
income and gain described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(i).
(g) The
Capital Account of each Member shall be decreased by (i) the amount of any
cash
distributed to such Member, (ii) the fair market value (as determined by the
Members) of any property distributed to such Member (net of any liabilities
that
such Member is deemed to have assumed or taken subject to, under and pursuant
to
Section 752 of the Code) and (iii) allocations to the Member of Loss (or items
thereof) and other loss and deductions pursuant to Section 7.1, including loss
and deduction described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g),
but excluding items of loss and deduction described in Regulations Sections
1.704-1(b)(4)(i) and (iii).
(h) A
single Capital Account shall be maintained for each Member, which Capital
Account shall reflect all allocations, distributions, or other adjustments
required by this definition with respect to the Membership Interest owned by
such Member.
(i) Upon
any transfer of all or part of a Membership Interest, as permitted by this
Agreement, the Capital Account (or portion thereof) of the transferor that
is
attributable to the transferred interest (or portion thereof) shall carry over
to the transferee, as prescribed by Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(l).
(j) Except
as otherwise required by the Act or this Agreement, no Member shall have any
liability to restore all or any portion of a deficit balance in a Capital
Account.
(k) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this definition, it is the intention of the Members
that the Capital Accounts of the Members be maintained strictly in accordance
with the capital account maintenance requirements of Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), and that such Capital Accounts be adjusted to the extent
required by the provisions of such regulations or any successor provisions
thereto.
“Capital
Contribution” shall mean the sum of the Initial Capital Contribution and any
Additional Capital Contribution made by a Member of the Company.
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“Capital
Event” shall mean (i) a sale of all or any part of or an interest in the
Concord Property and all improvements thereon, exclusive of sales or other
dispositions of tangible personal
property in the ordinary course of business; (ii) placement and funding of
any
indebtedness of the Company secured by some or all of its assets with respect
to
borrowed money, excluding short term borrowing in the ordinary course of
business; (iii) condemnation of all or any part of or an interest in the Concord
Property through the exercise of the power of eminent domain; or (iv) any loss
of all or a portion of the Concord Property or an interest in the Concord
Property by casualty, failure of title or otherwise.
“Cash
Flow” shall mean, with respect to any period, (i) all cash received by the
Company from any source or withdrawn from reserves during such period (as
determined by the Members) minus (ii) the sum of (x) any increase in working
capital, (y) additions to reserves made during such period (as reasonably
determined by the Members), and (z) operating expenses, capital expenditures,
debt service (including on Member loans) and other cash expenditures of the
Company, including but not limited to the Construction Fee, the New York State
Return and the Horsemen Return, but excluding the Management
Fee.
“Casino
Development Fee” shall mean an amount equal to five percent (5%) of all
development costs incurred in connection with the development of any racing
and
gaming facilities located at the Concord Property.
“Cause”
shall mean fraud or willful gross misconduct or a willful breach of a material
obligation, representation or warranty of a Member under this Agreement unless
cured within thirty (30) days of notice thereof.
“Certificate”
shall mean the Certificate of Formation of the Company.
“Closing
Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the Formation
Agreement.
“Code”
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time,
and
any successor statutory provisions.
“Company”
shall mean Concord Empire LLC, a New York limited liability
company.
“Company
Minimum Gain” shall mean the amount determined in accordance with
Regulations Section 1.704-2(d) by (a) computing with respect to each Nonrecourse
Liability of the Company the amount of income or gain, if any, that would be
realized by the Company if it disposed of the property securing such Nonrecourse
Liability in full satisfaction thereof, and (b) aggregating all separate amounts
so computed.
“Concord”
shall mean Concord Associates, L.P., a New York limited partnership having
an
office at c/o Cappelli Enterprises, Inc., 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx
00000.
“Concord
Cash Equity Preferred Return” shall mean a cumulative (non-compounded)
return equal to twelve percent (12%) per annum, based on the aggregate
Additional Capital Contributions, less the amount of any distribution made
to
Concord pursuant to Section 6.2(g) of this Agreement, commencing on the
Effective Date.
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“Concord
First Returns” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a)(I)(iii) of
this Agreement.
“Concord
Management Responsibilities” shall mean any and all actions reasonably
related to or done in connection with the development of the Concord Property
pursuant to the Development Plan, including but not limited to (i) retaining
all
contractors, engineers, architects and other professionals, (ii) overseeing
all
construction, (iii) obtaining any and all financing from third party lenders
on
commercially reasonable terms and conditions, (iv) obtaining any and all
building permits, certificates of occupancy, site plans, floor plans and any
and
all other licenses, permits and governmental approvals and authorizations,
(v)
approving any site plans or other design drawings produced in connection
therewith, (vi) obtaining any necessary environmental approvals in connection
with the development of the Concord Property and (vii) managing the development
and construction of the Concord Property on a day to day basis, each of the
foregoing as may be deemed necessary or desirable by Concord in consultation
with Empire; provided, that any changes to any of (a) the number of rooms or
units contained in the hotel, (b) the number of square feet contained in the
convention center, (c) the inclusion of a Class II or Class III gaming facility
substantially similar to the Class II gaming facility described in the Site
Plan, and (d) the inclusion of a harness racetrack in the Project, each as
set
forth in the Development Plan, shall be made by Concord with the consent of
Empire. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Concord shall, in consultation
with Empire, make any and all decisions with respect to (I) the overall design
of the improvements to be made on the Concord Property, including but not
limited to the placement of any such improvements on the Concord Property,
and
(II) any and all other details with respect to the design, development and/or
construction of the Concord Property that are not mentioned in clauses (a)
through (d) above and that are reasonably related to or done in connection
with
the development of the Concord Property pursuant to the Development
Plan.
“Concord
Preferred Return” shall mean the meaning set forth in Section
7.1(a)(I)(iv).
“Concord
Property” shall mean the land located in Kiamesha Lake, New York and
described on Exhibit C attached hereto and made a part hereof, commonly
known as the Concord Hotel and Resort, consisting of approximately 160 acres,
together with all Governmental Approvals obtained by Concord prior to the
Effective Date, but excluding the Xxxxxxxxxx Tax Credits held by Concord in
connection with such land.
“Concord
Real Property Preferred Return” shall mean a cumulative (non-compounded)
return equal to eight percent (8%) per annum, based on the aggregate Initial
Capital Contribution less the amount of any distribution made to Concord
pursuant to Sections 6.2(i) or 6.4 of this Agreement, made by Concord to the
Company, commencing on the Effective Date.
“Concord
Reimbursement Contribution” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5.2(d) of this Agreement.
“Construction
Contract” shall have the meaning set forth in the Formation
Agreement
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“Construction
Fee” shall mean, a fee payable to Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Company or its Affiliate
in consideration for acting as the general contractor with respect to the
development of the Concord Property in an amount equal to a market rate for
a
project of this type and magnitude (which the parties anticipate will be five
percent (5%)) on the aggregate costs of all labor,
materials, equipment, fixtures and furnishings incurred in connection with
the
construction and development of the Concord Property.
“Contributing
Member” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(a).
“Credit
Facility” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.2(e) of the
Formation Agreement.
“Credit
Facility Assignment” shall mean the assignment by Empire of that the Credit
Facility to the Company, and the Company’s assumption of such Credit
Facility.
“Demand
Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.16(b).
“Deposit”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(b)(i).
“Depreciation”
shall mean, for each Fiscal Year or part thereof, an amount equal to the
depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction allowable for
federal income tax purposes with respect to an asset for such Fiscal Year or
part thereof, except that if the Asset Value of an asset differs from its
adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such Fiscal
Year, the depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such
Fiscal Year or part thereof shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to
such Asset Value as the federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other
cost recovery deduction for such Fiscal Year or part thereof bears to such
adjusted tax basis. If such asset has a zero adjusted tax basis, the
depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for each Fiscal
Year
shall be determined under a method selected by the Members.
“Development
Fee” shall mean an amount equal to five percent (5%) of all development
costs incurred in connection with the development of the Concord Property,
but
excluding all amounts payable as the Casino Development Fee.
“Development
Plan” shall mean the plan to develop and construct on the Concord Property
at least all of the following improvements: (i) a hotel containing 500 rooms
or
units, (ii) a convention center containing two-hundred thousand (200,000) square
feet, (iii) a Class II or Class III gaming facility (items (i)-(iii)
substantially similar to those described in the Site Plan), and (iv) a harness
racetrack (substantially similar to that presently existing at the Monticello
Raceway), and may include other improvements, including, without limitation,
residential and retail facilities, together with parking sufficient to support
the foregoing.
“Dispute”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.16.
“Effective
Date” shall mean [_____], 2008, which shall be the Closing Date pursuant to
the terms and conditions of the Formation Agreement.
“Election
Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).
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“Empire”
shall mean Empire Resorts, Inc., a Delaware Corporation having an office at
000
Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000.
“Empire
Cash Equity Preferred Return” shall mean a cumulative (non-compounded)
return equal to twelve percent (12%) per annum, based on the aggregate
Additional Capital Contributions, less the amount of any distribution made
to
Empire pursuant to Section 6.2(g) of this Agreement commencing on the Effective
Date.
“Empire
First Returns” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a)(I)(iii) of
this Agreement.
“Empire
License” shall mean certain licenses owned by Empire and its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Monticello Raceway Management, Inc., a New York corporation,
pertaining to Empire’s ownership and operating of a harness racing facility and
a video gaming machine facility, such licenses currently enabling Empire to
operate a harness racing facility and video gaming machine facility in
Monticello, New York known as the Monticello Gaming and Raceway
facility.
“Empire
Management Responsibilities” shall mean any and all actions reasonably
related to or done in connection with (i) the management and operation of the
Concord Property as a racing and gaming facility and the maintenance of any
and
all racing and gaming licenses, (ii) the management and operation of any hotel
existing at or constructed upon the Concord Property, (iii) the selection of
the
manager (which may be Empire itself) of any hotel located at the Concord
Property and (iv) the day to day operation and management of the hotel and
gaming facility components of the Project. In addition, Empire shall undertake
any and all necessary and/or desirable actions in connection with (a) obtaining
any Governmental Approval necessary in connection with the relocation of the
harness racetrack and the video gaming machine facility from certain real
property owned by Empire and located in Monticello, New York and known as the
Monticello Gaming and Raceway facility to the Concord Property and (b) obtaining
any consents, approvals or authorizations with respect to the transfer of the
Empire License to the Company.
“Empire
Operations” shall mean the video gaming machine and racing businesses owned
by Empire in Monticello, New York known as the Monticello Gaming and Raceway
facility, including but not limited to the Empire Licenses, the employees
currently employed by Empire and customer lists and marketing materials used
by
Empire in connection with the ownership and the operation of such
business.
“Empire
Operations Preferred Return” shall mean a cumulative (non-compounded) return
equal to eight percent (8%) per annum, based on the fair market value of the
Empire Operations contributed by Empire to the Company, less the amount of
any
distribution made to Empire pursuant to Sections 6.2(i) or 6.4 of this
Agreement, commencing on the Effective Date.
“Empire
Property” shall mean the approximately 200 acres of land located in
Monticello, New York, and all buildings, structures and other improvements
thereon, and commonly known as the Monticello Raceway, but excluding the Land
in
Trust Property.
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“Empire
Preferred Return” shall mean the meaning set forth in Section
7.1(a)(I)(iv).
“Empire
Reimbursement Contribution” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5.2(c) of this Agreement.
“Fiscal
Year” shall mean the taxable year of the Company, which initially shall be
the calendar year.
“FMV
Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).
“Formation
Agreement” shall mean the Agreement to Form Limited Liability Company and
Contribution Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2008, between Concord and
Empire.
“Gaming
Management Fee” shall mean an amount which would be charged at market rate
by an independent third party or such other amount that may be permitted under
the terms of any qualified management agreement to which the Company shall
at
any time be a party.
“Governmental
Approvals” shall mean any authorization, application, consent, approval,
order, consent decree, license, franchise, lease, ruling, permit, tariff, rate,
certification, exemption, filing or registration by or with any Governmental
Entity.
“Governmental
Entity” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Formation
Agreement.
“Horsemen”
shall mean the Monticello Harness Horsemen’s Association.
“Horsemen
Return” shall mean an amount equal to eight and one-quarter percent (8.25%),
or such other amount legislated, of the aggregate gross revenues generated
by
the video gaming machines located at any Class II gaming facility constructed
on
the Concord Property.
“Hotel
Management Fee” shall mean an amount equal to three percent (3%) of revenues
generated by any hotel located at the Concord Property, plus five percent (5%)
of the gross operating profit, as determined based on the audited
financial statements of the Company.
“Initial
Capital Contribution” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5.1(b).
“Initiating
Member” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).
“Land
in Trust Property” shall mean the approximately 29.31 acres of land allotted
for a Class III casino.
“Legislation”
shall mean any legislation passed by the State of New York that increases the
current statutory distribution of gross revenues from video gaming machine
operations provided to Empire from 32% of the first $50.0 million in gross
revenues to 40% of the first $50.0 million in gross revenues or such greater
percentage as may be determined by the State of New York.
“Lenders”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.
52
“Liquidating
Trustee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.2(a).
“Major
Decisions” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(c).
“Management
Fee” shall mean the sum of the Development Fee, the Hotel Management Fee and
the Gaming Management Fee, the Casino Development Fee and any other fees which
the Company is entitled to receive.
“Member
Nonrecourse Debt” shall mean debt of the Company determined in accordance
with the principles of Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).
“Member
Nonrecourse Deductions” shall mean any and all items of loss, deduction or
expenditure (including such items described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the
Code)
that, in accordance with the principles of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2),
are attributable to a Member Nonrecourse Debt.
“Members”
shall mean each of Concord and Empire, and any other Person that hereafter
is
admitted as a Member pursuant to Article VIII hereof.
“Membership
Interest” shall mean a Member’s entire interest in the Company including the
Member’s right to share in the Profits and Losses and distributions of the
Company, and the Member’s right to vote or consent to, or otherwise participate
in, any decision or action of or by the Members granted pursuant to this
Agreement or the Act. The current percentage Membership Interests of
the Members of the Company are set forth on Exhibit E attached
hereto. Exhibit E shall be amended by the Members from time to
time to reflect changes in the percentage Membership Interests as set forth
herein including changes resulting from issuances, redemptions, purchases and
sales of Membership Interests in the Company pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.
“Minimum
Gain Attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt” shall mean that amount
determined in accordance with the principles of Regulations Sections
1.704-2(i)(3), (4) and (5).
“New
York State Return” shall mean an amount equal to approximately seventy
percent (70%), or such other percentage that shall be agreed to by the State
of
New York from time to time, of the aggregate gross revenues generated by the
video gaming machines located at any Class II gaming facility constructed on
the
Concord Property.
“Non-Contributing
Member” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(a).
“Nonrecourse
Deductions” shall mean that amount determined in accordance with Regulations
Section 1.704-2(b)(1).
“Nonrecourse
Liability” shall mean any liability of the Company treated as a nonrecourse
liability under Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(3).
“Payment
Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(b)(i).
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“Person”
shall mean any individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation,
trust or other entity.
“Pre-Construction
Expenses” shall mean any and all expenses incurred by Concord, in Concord’s
sole and reasonable discretion, but in consultation with Empire, between
February 8, 2008 and the Effective Date, that are reasonably related to the
development of the Concord Property pursuant to the Development
Plan.
“Pre-Construction
Expense Return” shall mean either (i) if any Pre-Construction Expense was
financed by a third-party lender, the cost of capital payable by Concord or
any
of Concord’s affiliates to such third-party lender (including any and all
interest and fees payable by Concord or its affiliates to such third-party
lender) based on the aggregate amount of Pre-Construction Expenses funded by
such third-party lender, less the amount of any distribution made to Concord
pursuant to Section 6.2(g) of this Agreement as a reimbursement of any such
Pre-Construction Expense or (ii) if financing from a third-party lender was
not
available on commercially reasonable terms (taking into account the interest
rate, fees, and other lender requirements), a cumulative (non-compounded) return
equal to twelve percent (12%) per annum, based on the aggregate amount of
Pre-Construction Expenses incurred by Concord and not funded by any third-party
lender, less the amount of any distribution made to Concord pursuant to Section
6.2(g) of this Agreement as a reimbursement of any such Pre-Construction
Expense.
“Priority
Member Loan” means, with respect to the Contributing Member, any advance
made by the Contributing Member and designated or characterized by the
Contributing Member as a Priority Member Loan pursuant to Section 5.4(a) hereof,
and constituting the Non-Contributing Member’s share of such amount advanced by
the Contributing Member pursuant to Section 5.4(a) hereof.
“Priority
Member Loan Return” means a cumulative return, calculated in the same manner
as interest at a rate of fifteen percent (15%) per annum.
“Profits
and Losses” shall mean, for each Fiscal Year or other period, an amount
equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such Fiscal Year or period,
determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items
of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant
to
Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the
following adjustments:
(l) Any
income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise
taken into account in computing Profits and Losses shall be added to such
taxable income or loss;
(m) Any
expenditures of the Company described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated
as
Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing
Profits or Losses, shall be subtracted from such taxable income or
loss;
(n) In
the event the Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to clause
(b) or clause (d) of the definition thereof, the amount of such adjustment
shall
be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such asset for
purposes of computing Profits and Losses;
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(o) Gain
or loss resulting from any disposition of Company property with respect to
which
gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed
by
reference to the Asset Value of the property disposed of, notwithstanding that
the adjusted tax basis of such property differs from its Asset
Value;
(p) In
lieu of depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions taken
into
account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into
account Depreciation for such Fiscal Year or other period;
(q) To
the extent an adjustment to any adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant
to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required pursuant to
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) to be taken into account in
determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution other than in
liquidation of a Member’s Membership Interest in the Company, the amount of the
adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases
the
basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases the basis of the
assets) from the disposition of the asset and shall be taken into account for
purposes of computing Profits and Losses; and
(r) Any
items that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 7.1(c) shall not be
taken
into account in computing Profits and Losses.
“Project”
shall mean the “project” designated as such by Concord in the Development
Plan.
“Property”
shall mean the Concord Property.
“Regulations”
shall mean any and all temporary and final regulations promulgated under the
Code, as amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of
succeeding regulations).
“Regulatory
Allocations” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7.1(c)(vii).
“Reimbursement
Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(b) of this
Agreement.
“Selling
Member” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).
“Site
Plan” shall mean the meaning set forth in the Formation
Agreement.
“Stabilization”
shall mean that the hotel, convention center and Class II or Class III gaming
facility have been operating for three (3) full calendar years.
“State
Agreement” shall mean one or more agreements with the State of New York
pursuant to which the State of New York or any of its political subdivisions
or
any agency thereof shall agree to provide financing to the Company in connection
with the Company’s proposed development of the Concord Property and consistent
with the scope of such proposed development pursuant to the Development
Plan.
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“Total
Concord Cash Return” shall mean the meaning set forth in Section
7.1(a)(I)(v).
“Total
Concord Return” shall mean the meaning set forth in Section
7.1(a)(I)(vi).
“Total
Empire Cash Return” shall mean the meaning set forth in Section
7.1(a)(I)(v).
“Total
Empire Return” shall mean the meaning set forth in Section
7.1(a)(I)(vi).
“Transfer”
shall mean any, direct or indirect, sale, assignment, gift, hypothecation,
pledge or other disposition, whether voluntary or by operation of law, of a
Membership Interest or any portion thereof; provided, that any pledge,
assignment or hypothecation of Membership Interests to any third-party lending
institution pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and in connection with
any
primary, secondary or mezzanine financing or refinancing of the Project and/or
the operations of the Company shall not constitute a Transfer pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement.
“Transferring
Member” shall mean a Member who Transfers its Membership
Interest.
“Tribe”
shall mean the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.
1.2 Generic
Terms. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, where
appropriate the singular shall include the plural and the masculine shall
include the feminine or neuter, and vice versa, to the extent necessary to
give
the terms defined in this Article I and the terms otherwise used in this
Agreement their proper meanings. Article, Section, Subsection,
paragraph, clause, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless
otherwise specified.
ARTICLE
II
ORGANIZATIONAL
MATTERS
2.1 Formation;
Continuation. The Company has been formed and shall continue to
exist for the limited purposes described herein and shall be governed by and
operated in accordance with the Act. The Members shall execute and
make all filings required by the Act or other applicable law with respect to
the
continuation and operation of the Company after the Effective Date.
2.2 Name. The
name of the Company is “Concord Empire LLC” and all Company business shall be
conducted under that name or such other names that comply with applicable law
as
the Members may select from time to time.
2.3 Principal
Place of Business. The principal place of business of the Company
shall be located at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000. The
Company may change its principal place of business or have such other offices
as
the Members may designate from time to time.
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2.4 Registered
Office. The address of the registered office of the Company in
the State of New York is c/o Cappelli Enterprises, Inc., 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000,
or
at such other location (which need not be a place of business of the Company)
as
the Members may designate from time to time.
2.5 Term. The
term of the Company shall commence upon the filing of the Certificate and shall
continue until dissolved in accordance with Article X of this Agreement or
the
Act.
2.6 Taxation. No
Member shall file any tax report or return, or take any other action (including
filing or causing to be filed an election under Regulations Section 301.7701-3),
that would cause the Company to be treated as an association taxable as a
corporation for any federal, state or local income tax purposes.
2.7 No
State Law Partnership. The Members intend that the Company
shall not be a partnership (including, without limitation, a limited
partnership) or a joint venture, and that as a result of participating as a
Member hereunder, no Member shall be treated as a partner or joint venturer
of
any other Member, for any purpose other than federal, state and local income
tax
purposes, and the provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed
otherwise.
ARTICLE
III
BUSINESS
OF THE COMPANY
3.1 Purpose. The
business of the Company shall be to: (a) finance, own, manage, lease, operate,
dispose of and otherwise use and enjoy the Concord Property, (b) develop the
Concord Property pursuant to the Development Plan, and to obtain all financing
that is necessary or advisable in connection therewith, (c) maximize
the value of the Empire Licenses and (d) engage in any and all
activities reasonably related to or incidental to the foregoing.
3.2 Payment
of Fees. Pursuant to Section 4.5 of this Agreement, Concord shall
perform the Concord Management Responsibilities, and, in connection therewith,
shall be entitled to receive certain distributions pursuant to Section 6.1(e)
and 6.2(e) of this Agreement. Pursuant to Section 4.5 of this
Agreement, Empire shall perform the Empire Management Responsibilities, and,
in
connection therewith, shall be entitled to receive certain distributions
pursuant to Section 6.1(e) and 6.2(e) of this Agreement. The Company
shall pay each of the aforementioned fees pursuant to Sections 6.1 and 6.2
of
this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Company or its Affiliate shall act as the general contractor with respect to
the
development of the Concord Property and, in connection therewith, shall be
entitled to receive the Construction Fee, such fee to be paid to Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx Company or its designee prior to any distribution of Cash Flow pursuant
to Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of this Agreement as expenses are
incurred. In connection therewith, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Company or its
Affiliate shall provide any institutional lender that shall provide financing
in
connection with the development of the Concord Property or the holders of any
bonds issued in connection with the financing of the development of the Concord
Property (collectively, the “Lenders”) and the Company with payment and
performance bonds reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to each of
the
Lenders and the Company.
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ARTICLE
IV
MEMBERS,
MEETINGS OF THE MEMBERS AND MANAGEMENT
4.1 Members. The
Members of the Company are listed on Exhibit B attached hereto, each of
which has executed this Agreement as of the date hereof and is admitted to
the
Company as a Member.
4.2 Additional
Members. No Person shall be admitted to the Company as an
additional or substitute Member without the written consent of those Persons
who
are then Members and as otherwise provided herein.
4.3 Meetings. Meetings
of Members may be held at the principal place of business of the Company or
such
place or places, within or outside the State of New York, as shall be determined
by a majority of the Membership Interests and stated in the notice thereof.
Notice of the time, date, place and purpose of meeting shall be given to each
Member by the Member(s) calling the meeting by personal delivery, telephone
or
fax sent to the address of each Member set forth in Exhibit B at least
five Business Days in advance of the meeting; provided, however, no notice
need
be given to a Member who waives notice before or after the meeting or who
attends the meeting without protesting at or before its commencement the
inadequacy of notice to such Member. Members of the Company may participate
in a
meeting by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment
by
means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other,
and
such participation shall constitute presence in person at such
meeting.
(a) Record
Date. For the purpose of determining the Members entitled
to notice of or to vote at any meeting of Members or any adjournment of such
meeting, or Members entitled to receive payment of any distribution pursuant
to
Article 6 of this Agreement, or to make a determination of Members for any
other
purpose, the date on which notice of the meeting is mailed or the date on which
the resolution declaring Distribution is adopted, as the case may be, shall
be
the record date for making such a determination. When a determination of Members
entitled to vote at any meeting of Members has been made pursuant to this
Section, the determination shall apply to any adjournment of the
meeting.
(b) Quorum.
Members holding not less than a majority of all Membership Interests,
represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting
of
Members. In the absence of a quorum at any meeting of Members, a majority of
the
Membership Interests so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time
for a period not to exceed sixty days without further notice. However, if the
adjournment is for more than sixty days, or if after the adjournment a new
record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned
meeting shall be given to each Member of record entitled to vote at such
meeting. At an adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or
represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted
at
the meeting as originally noticed. The Members present at a meeting may continue
to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal during
the meeting of Membership Interests whose absence results in less than a quorum
being present.
58
4.4 Action
by Members Without a Meeting. Whenever the Members of the Company
are required or permitted to take any action by vote, such action may be
taken
without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent
or
consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by
the
Members who hold the voting interests having not less than the minimum number
of
votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting
at
which all of the Members entitled to vote therein were present and voted.
Such
consent and/or consents shall be delivered to the office of the Company at
its
principal place of business. Delivery made to the office of the Company shall
be
by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the action without a
meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to each Member
who
has not consented in writing but who would have been entitled to vote thereon
had such action been taken at a meeting.
4.5 Action
by the Members. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement,
all action to be taken by the Members shall be taken at a meeting of the Members
by vote of a majority-in-interest of the Members. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, (i) Concord shall have full power and authority to do all things
and
to perform all acts reasonably necessary or advisable, and to act for and bind
the Company, with respect to the Concord Management Responsibilities, and in
connection therewith, to receive the certain distributions pursuant to Section
6.1(e) and 6.2(e) of this Agreement and (ii) Empire shall have full power and
authority to do all things and to perform all acts reasonably necessary or
advisable, and to act for and bind the Company with respect to the Empire
Management Responsibilities, and in connection therewith, to receive certain
distributions pursuant to Section 6.1(e) and 6.2(e) of this
Agreement. Each of Concord and Empire will continue to possess the
authority to perform the Concord Management Responsibilities and the Empire
Management Responsibilities, respectively, unless such Member is removed by
the
other Member for Cause and, upon such removal, such other Member shall assume
all rights and responsibilities to perform the Concord Management
Responsibilities or the Empire Management Responsibilities, as applicable.
The
Members hereby agree that Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Company or its Affiliate shall have
full power and authority to act as the general contractor with respect to the
development of the Concord Property and, in connection therewith, shall be
entitled to receive the Construction Fee, payable pursuant to Section 3.2 of
this Agreement.
(a) Each
of the Members recognizes that the other Member and its respective Affiliates
have or may in the future have other business interests, activities and
investments, some of which may be in conflict or competition with the business
of the Company, and that the other Member and its respective Affiliates are
entitled to carry on such other business interests, activities and investments,
without any obligation to offer any interest in such activities to the Company
or to the other Member.
(b) Any
Person dealing with the Company or any Member may, unless such Person has actual
knowledge to the contrary, rely upon a certificate signed by the Members of
the
Company as to (i) the identity of any Member; (ii) any factual matters relevant
to the affairs of the Company; (iii) the Persons who are authorized to execute
and deliver any document on behalf of the Company; or (iv) any action taken
or
omitted by the Company or any Member.
(c) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Members agree that the unanimous consent of the Members
shall
be required with respect to the following (the “Major Decisions”):
(i) any
amendment, modification or supplement to this Agreement;
(ii) a
change in the nature of the business of the Company;
(iii) selling
or issuing any additional Membership Interests in the Company; provided, that
any pledge, assignment or hypothecation of Membership Interests to any
third-party lending institution in connection with any primary, secondary or
mezzanine financing or refinancing of the Project and/or the operations of
the
Company shall not constitute a sale of Membership Interests
hereunder;
(iv) engaging
in mergers or consolidations or the sale of the assets of the Company (including
without limitation the sale of the Property or any substantial part thereof)
outside of the ordinary course of its business, except as otherwise provided
in
Section 8.4;
(v) acquiring
any real property in addition to the Concord Property;
(vi) instituting
a legal suit on behalf of or in the name of the Company or settling any claims
against the Company made by third parties;
(vii) consenting
to any assessment or statement of audit charges proposed by the Internal Revenue
Service of any state or local authority which would result in the altering
of
any amount entered on a tax return of the Company more than
$25,000.00;
(viii) determining
to dissolve the Company pursuant to Section 10.1;
(ix) causing
the Company to commence a proceeding seeking any decree, relief, order or
appointment in respect to the Company under the federal bankruptcy laws, as
now
or hereafter constituted, or under any other federal or state bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar law, or the appointment of a receiver, liquidator,
assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) for the Company
or for any substantial part of the Company’s business or property, or to cause
the Company to consent to any such decree, relief, order or appointment
initiated by any Person other than the Company;
(x) after
the completion of the Project and the issuance of a temporary certificate of
occupancy to the Company in connection with each of the improvements constructed
on the Concord Property pursuant to the Development Plan, and only in the event
that the balance of Concord’s Capital Account equals the balance of Empire’s
Capital Account, either at the time of entering into such financing agreement
or
as a result of such financing agreement, determining to enter into any agreement
with a third-party lending institution in connection with any
primary, secondary or mezzanine financing or refinancing of the Project and/or
the operations of the Company;
(xi) causing
the Company to retain a third party, such as Marriott or Starwood, to manage
any
hotel located at the Concord Property and determining the fee that shall be
paid
to such third party manager;
(xii) the
approval of the Construction Contract; or
(xiii) the
approval of any annual budget of the Company and the approval of any press
release issued by the Company.
4.6 Prior
to the completion of the Project and the issuance of a temporary certificate
of
occupancy to the Company in connection with each of the improvements constructed
on the Concord Property pursuant to the Development Plan, Concord shall, in
consultation with Empire, have full power and authority to do all things and
to
perform all acts reasonably necessary or advisable, and to act for and bind
the
Company, with respect to the day to day operation and management of the Company;
provided, that none of the Concord Management Responsibilities, the Empire
Management Responsibilities or the Major Decisions shall be included in
Concord’s general management responsibilities pursuant to this Section 4.6;
provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Empire and Concord shall
jointly select any auditor of the Company’s financial books and
records, which auditor shall conduct an annual audit of the
Company. After the completion of the Project and the issuance of a
temporary certificate of occupancy to the Company in connection with each of
the
improvements constructed on the Concord Property pursuant to the Development
Plan, all decisions with respect to the day to day operation and management
of
the Company shall be jointly made by Empire and Concord, or by one or more
employees and/or committees jointly appointed by Empire and Concord to perform
all acts reasonably necessary or advisable, and to act for and bind the Company,
with respect to the day to day operation and management of the Company;
provided, that none of the Concord Management Responsibilities, the Empire
Management Responsibilities or the Major Decisions shall be included in such
general management responsibilities pursuant to this Section 4.6.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, after the completion of the Project and the
issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy to the Company in connection
with each of the improvements constructed on the Concord Property pursuant
to
the Development Plan, and only in the event that the balance of Concord’s
Capital Account does not equal the balance of Empire’s Capital Account, the
Member with the highest positive Capital Account balance, in consultation with
the other Member, shall make all decisions with respect to entering into any
primary, secondary or mezzanine financing or refinancing of the Project and/or
the operations of the Company with any third-party lending
institution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
this Agreement, the Company shall prepare an annual budget each year, such
annual budget to be approved by the Members in accordance with Section
4.5(c)(xiii) of this Agreement.
4.7 Limitation
of Liability; Indemnification.
(a) No
Member, or any Affiliate, agent, officer, partner, employee, member,
representative, director or shareholder of any Member shall be liable,
responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Company or any Member
for (i) any act performed
in good faith within the scope of the authority conferred by this Agreement,
(ii) any failure or refusal to perform any acts except those required by the
terms of this Agreement, or (iii) any performance or omission to perform any
acts in reliance in good faith on the advice of independent accountants or
legal
counsel for the Company.
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(b) Except
as otherwise expressly provided in the Act, the debts, obligations and
liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise,
shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and
no
Member shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability
of the Company, solely by reason of being a Member of the Company.
(c) The
Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, using solely
the Company’s assets, indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Member against
any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which such Member may become
subject in connection with any matter arising out of or incidental to any act
performed or omitted to be performed by any such Member in connection with
this
Agreement or the Company’s business or affairs; provided, however, that such act
or omission (i) was taken in good faith, was reasonably believed by the
applicable Member to be in the best interest of the Company and was within
the
scope of authority granted to such Member, (ii) was not attributable in whole
or
in part to such Member’s breach of this Agreement or a knowing violation of law,
in either case which has a material adverse effect upon the value of, or causes
material damage to, the Company or the Property, and (iii) was not attributable
in whole or in part to such Member’s fraud, willful misconduct or gross
negligence.
(d) The
Members and the Company agree that the duties and obligations imposed on the
Members as such shall be those set forth in this Agreement, which is intended
to
govern the relationship among the Company and the Members, notwithstanding
any
provision of the Act, fiduciary duties or common law to the
contrary.
(e) The
provisions of this Section 4.7 shall survive the termination or expiration
of
this Agreement.
4.8 Expenses. Except
for any costs to be borne by any third party under any agreement with the
Company, the Company shall be responsible for paying, and shall pay, all direct
costs and expenses related to the business of the Company, including but not
limited to any real property transfer taxes associated with the transfer of
the
Concord Property to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Concord shall
pay for all expenses with respect to (i) curing any violations on the
Concord Property and (ii) any environmental remediation on the Concord
Property. With respect to any environmental remediation that shall be
incurred pursuant to a Xxxxxxxxxx Agreement to be entered into with the New
York
State Department of Environmental Conservation, Concord shall be entitled to
retain all Xxxxxxxxxx Tax Credits earned in connection with such environmental
remediation.
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ARTICLE
V
CONTRIBUTIONS/FINANCING
5.1 Initial
Capital Contributions and Capital Accounts. (a) On the
Effective Date of this Agreement, Concord shall contribute the Concord Property
to the Company and Empire shall contribute the Empire Operations to the
Company. The Asset Value of the Concord Property and the Asset Value
of the Empire Operations shall be determined based upon one or more third-party
valuations of the fair market value of such asset at the time of contribution
obtained by the parties pursuant to the Appraisal Process, such Appraisal
Process to be done at the cost and expense of the Company and conducted by
independent appraisers who shall be members of a nationally accredited
association of appraisers, each with at least ten (10) years experience in
the
valuation of assets similar to the Concord Property and the Empire Operations,
respectively.
(b) The
Asset Value of the Concord Property, as adjusted pursuant to Section 5.1(a),
shall constitute the initial contribution of capital (an “Initial Capital
Contribution”) of Concord to the Company, and such value shall be set forth in
Exhibit B attached hereto and credited to Concord’s Capital
Account. In addition, the aggregate amount of the Pre-Construction
Expenses incurred by Concord in connection with the development of the Concord
Property pursuant to the Development Plan shall constitute an Additional Capital
Contribution of Concord to the Company, and such amount shall be set forth
in
Exhibit B attached hereto and credited to Concord’s Capital
Account. The Asset Value of the Empire Operations, as adjusted
pursuant to Section 5.1(a), shall constitute the Initial Capital Contribution
of
Empire to the Company, and such value shall be set forth in Exhibit B
attached hereto and credited to Empire’s Capital Account.
(c) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, it is understood between Concord and Empire that Concord owns
one
or more parcels of land adjoining the Concord Property that shall not be
contributed to the Company, and that such parcels are improved with two golf
courses, the International Golf Course and the Monster Golf
Course. The Company shall have the right to access the International
Golf Course for use by hotel guests who will receive preferential treatment
with
respect to the assignment of tee times and who will be charged a rate no greater
than the most favorable then-current market rate charged by Concord or its
successors for any use thereof and shall have such other use of such facility
as
Concord or its successors shall determine is reasonable under the circumstances.
The Company shall have the right to access the Monster Golf Course for use
by
hotel guests who will be charged a rate by Concord or its successors no greater
than the most favorable then-current market rate charged by Concord or its
successors for any use thereof and shall have such other use of such facility
as
Concord shall determine is reasonable under the circumstances.
5.2 Additional
Capital Contributions. Any additional contribution of capital to
the Company (an “Additional Capital Contribution”) shall be made as
follows:
(a)
No Member shall be required or permitted to make any Additional Capital
Contributions to the Company unless such Additional Capital Contribution shall
be authorized by a majority-in-interest of the Members. If any such
Additional Capital Contribution
is so authorized, each Member shall, within thirty (30) Business Days after
the
effective date of such authorization, contribute the amount of the total
requested Additional Capital Contributions multiplied by its respective
percentage Membership Interest. All Additional Capital Contributions requested
pursuant to this Section 5.2(a) shall be made by wire transfer of funds to
the
Company account designated by the Members. Each Additional Capital
Contribution made by any Member to the Company shall be set forth in the books
and records of the Company and credited to such Member’s Capital
Account
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(b) Notwithstanding
the foregoing Section 5.2(a), prior to the completion of the Project and the
issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy to the Company in connection
with each of the improvements constructed on the Concord Property pursuant
to
the Development Plan, if Concord determines, in its sole and reasonable
judgment, that the Company shall require additional capital in order to fund
any
development and/or construction cost associated with the development of the
Concord Property pursuant to the Development Plan, then Concord shall be
permitted to unilaterally request, without the consent of Empire, that an
Additional Capital Contribution be made by the Members and, within thirty (30)
Business Days after such request is made, each Member shall contribute the
amount of the total requested Additional Capital Contributions multiplied by
its
respective percentage Membership Interest by wire transfer of funds to the
Company account designated by Concord; provided, that prior to calling for
any
Additional Capital Contribution pursuant to this Section 5.2(b), Concord shall
use its best efforts to obtain financing from a third-party lender on
commercially reasonable terms (taking into account the interest rate, fees,
and
other lender requirements) to fund such development and/or construction costs
associated with the development of the Concord Property pursuant to the
Development Plan.
(c)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, at the
end
of each calendar year, the Company shall cause Empire’s Capital Account to
either be (I) credited in the amount of the difference between (a) the
Reimbursement Amount (or, in the case of a partial year, the applicable
percentage of the Reimbursement Amount) and (b) the sum received by Empire
pursuant to Sections 6.1(b) and 6.2(b) of this Agreement during such calendar
year (such difference, the “Empire Reimbursement Contribution”), provided that
such difference is a positive number, or (II) debited in the amount of the
Empire Reimbursement Contribution, provided that such difference is a negative
number. Any amount so credited shall be treated as an Additional
Capital Contribution made by Empire to the Company pursuant to the terms of
this
Agreement and any amount so debited shall reduce the aggregate amount of
Additional Capital Contributions that are deemed to have been made by Empire
to
the Company. All amounts that shall be credited to Empire’s Capital
Account pursuant to this Section 5.2(c) shall be deemed to be an Additional
Capital Contribution made by Empire to the Company that shall earn the Empire
Cash Equity Preferred Return.
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(d)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, at the
end
of each calendar year, the Company shall cause Concord’s Capital Account to
either be (I) credited in the amount of the difference between (a) the
Reimbursement Amount (or, in the case of a partial year, the applicable
percentage of the Reimbursement Amount)
and (b) the sum received by Concord pursuant to Sections 6.1(c) and 6.2(c)
of
this Agreement during such calendar year (such difference, the “Concord
Reimbursement Contribution”), provided that such difference is a positive
number, or (II) debited in the amount of the Concord Reimbursement Contribution,
provided that such difference is a negative number. Any amount so
credited shall be treated as an Additional Capital Contribution made by Concord
to the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and any amount so debited
shall reduce the aggregate amount of Additional Capital Contributions that
are
deemed to have been made by Concord to the Company. All amounts that shall
be
credited to Concord’s Capital Account pursuant to this Section 5.2(d) shall be
deemed to be an Additional Capital Contribution made by Concord to the Company
that shall earn the Concord Cash Equity Preferred Return.
5.3 Time
When Capital Contribution to be Returned. No time is agreed upon
as to when the Capital Contributions of the Members are to be
returned. The Members shall not have the right to demand return of
their Capital Contributions nor shall the Members have the right to demand
and
receive property other than cash in return for their Capital
Contributions.
5.4 Capital
Contributions and Remedies.
(a) If
any Member (a “Non-Contributing Member”) fails to timely make all or any portion
of any Capital Contribution (or any portion thereof) required pursuant to
Sections 5.2(a) or 5.2(b) hereof within the time period required by such
Section, and the other Member (the “Contributing Member”) has made its pro rata
share of such Capital Contribution, if required, then the Contributing Member
may, at its election:
(i) Advance
the Non-Contributing Member’s pro rata share of such required Capital
Contribution, in which event the Capital Contribution made by the Contributing
Member on behalf of the Non-Contributing Member in respect of the related
request therefor (i.e., only the Non-Contributing Member’s pro rata portion
thereof) shall be designated as a Priority Member Loan entitled to a Priority
Member Loan Return thereon (provided, however, such Priority Member Loan will
be
considered and treated as a loan to the Non-Contributing Member followed by
a
Capital Contribution by the Non-Contributing Member to the Company for federal
income tax purposes); provided, however, that the Non-Contributing Member may
at
any time repay all or any portion of the Capital Contribution previously made
by
the Non-Contributing Member and the amount of the Capital Contribution
previously designated as a Priority Member Loan shall be reduced accordingly;
and
(ii) To
the extent not repaid directly by any Non-Contributing Member within one hundred
twenty (120) calendar days of the date on which it was advanced by the
Contributing Member, the Priority Member Loan shall be repaid out of any
subsequent distributions of Cash Flow made pursuant to this Agreement to which
any Non-Contributing Member for whose account the Priority Member Loan was
made
would otherwise be entitled other than the Reimbursement Amount (but such
distributions actually paid to the Contributing Member shall, nonetheless,
constitute a distribution to any such Non-Contributing Member
for purposes of this Agreement), and such payments shall be applied first to
the
payment of accrued but unpaid Priority Member Loan Returns and then to the
payment of the outstanding principal, until the Priority Member Loan is repaid
in full.
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(b) Each
Member acknowledges and agrees that the other Member would not be entering
into
this Agreement were it not for (i) the Members agreeing to make the Capital
Contributions provided for in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 of this Agreement, and (ii)
the remedy provisions above in this Section 5.4. Each Member
acknowledges and agrees that in the event a Member fails to make its Capital
Contributions pursuant to this Agreement, the other Member will suffer
substantial damages and the remedy provisions set forth above are fair, just
and
equitable in all respects and administratively superior to any other method
for
determining such damages.
5.5 Member
Loans. A Member may make loans to the Company in such amounts and
upon such commercially reasonable terms and conditions authorized by the
Members. Any loan made by a Member shall not be treated as a Capital
Contribution for any purpose under this Agreement, nor shall any such loan
entitle a Member to any increase in its share of the Profits and Losses or
distributions of the Company. Any loan from a Member shall be
repayable on commercially reasonable terms and conditions agreed to by the
Members and shall bear interest at a commercially reasonable rate as determined
in the reasonable discretion of the Members.
ARTICLE
VI
DISTRIBUTIONS
6.1 Cash
Flow. Subject to Section 10.2, at such times as they shall
determine (but in no event less than monthly), the Members shall distribute
Cash
Flow (to the extent and if available) in the following manner and order of
priority:
(a) First,
payments of interest and, if applicable, principal shall be made when due to
any
financial institution or governmental entity, as applicable, that has made
any
loan or financing available to the Company for the development of the Concord
Property;
(b) Second,
to Empire until Empire has received distributions pursuant to this Section
6.1(b) in an aggregate amount of any previously unpaid portion of either (i)
if
the Legislation is not enacted by the State of New York, FOUR MILLION and 00/100
DOLLARS ($4,000,000.00) per annum or (ii) if the Legislation is enacted by
the
State of New York, EIGHT MILLION and 00/100 DOLLARS ($8,000,000.00) per annum
(as applicable, either FOUR MILLION and 00/100 DOLLARS ($4,000,000.00) or EIGHT
MILLION and 00/100 DOLLARS ($8,000,000.00) shall be referred to herein as the
“Reimbursement Amount”) or, in the case of a partial year, the applicable
percentage of the Reimbursement Amount;
(c) Third,
distributions shall be made to Concord until Concord has received distributions
pursuant to this Section 6.1(c) in an aggregate amount of any previously unpaid
portion of the Reimbursement Amount or, in the case of a partial year, the
applicable percentage of the Reimbursement Amount;
64
(d) Fourth,
in the event there are any Priority Member Loans outstanding at the time of
the
distribution or payment pursuant to this Section 6.1, distributions shall be
made to the Contributing Member who advanced the Priority Member Loan to the
Company in an amount equal to such Member’s Priority Member Loan Return on, plus
return of, Priority Member Loans (with payments made pursuant to this Section
6.1(d) deemed to be made first with respect to the Priority Member Loan Return
and then with respect to the Capital Contributions attributable to the Priority
Member Loan);
(e) Fifth,
pro rata distributions shall be made simultaneously to each of Concord and
Empire until Concord has received distributions pursuant to this Section 6.1(e)
in an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate amount of any
previously unpaid portion of the Management Fee and Empire has received
distributions pursuant to this Section 6.1(e) in an amount equal to fifty
percent (50%) of the aggregate amount of any previously unpaid portion of the
Management Fee.
(f) Sixth,
pro rata distributions shall be made simultaneously to each of Concord and
Empire until Concord has received distributions pursuant to this Section 6.1(f)
in an amount equal to any previously unpaid portion of the Concord Cash Equity
Preferred Return plus any previously unpaid portion of the Pre-Construction
Expense Return and Empire has received distributions pursuant to this Section
6.1(f) in an amount equal to any previously unpaid portion of the Empire Cash
Equity Preferred Return;
(g) Seventh,
pro rata distributions shall be made simultaneously to each of Concord and
Empire until Concord has received distributions pursuant to this Section 6.1(g)
in an amount equal to any previously unpaid portion of the Concord Real Property
Preferred Return and Empire has received distributions pursuant to this Section
6.1(g) in an amount equal to any previously unpaid portion of the Empire
Operations Preferred Return;
(h) Eighth,
the balance shall be distributed to the Members pro rata in accordance with
their Membership Interests.
6.2 Distribution
of Proceeds. Notwithstanding Section 6.1, proceeds received by the Company
as a result of a Capital Event shall be distributed to the Members as promptly
after the occurrence of the event giving rise thereto as the Members deem
reasonably prudent. The distribution of such proceeds shall be as
follows:
(a) First,
retire the debt of the Company due to any financial institution or governmental
entity, as applicable, that has made any loan or financing available to the
Company pertaining to any Project of the Company directly affected by such
Capital Event, and set up any reserve which the Members deem reasonably
necessary to provide for any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations
unforeseen of the Company in connection with such Capital Event; provided,
however, that at the expiration of such period of time as the Members may deem
advisable the balance of such reserve shall be distributed in the manner
otherwise set forth herein in Section 6.2;
65
(b) Second,
to Empire until Empire has received distributions pursuant to this Section
6.2(b) in an aggregate amount of any previously unpaid portion of the
Reimbursement Amount payable to Empire pursuant to Section 6.1(b) of this
Agreement;
(c) Third,
distributions shall be made to Concord until Concord has received distributions
pursuant to this Section 6.2(c) in an aggregate amount of any previously unpaid
portion of the Reimbursement Amount payable to Concord pursuant to Section
6.1(c) of this Agreement;
(d) Fourth,
in the event there are any Priority Member Loans outstanding at the time of
the
distribution or payment pursuant to this Section 6.2, distributions shall be
made to the Contributing Member who advanced the Priority Member Loan to the
Company in an amount equal to such Member’s Priority Member Loan Return on, plus
return of, Priority Member Loans (with payments made pursuant to this Section
6.2(d) deemed to be made first with respect to the Priority Member Loan Return
and then with respect to the Capital Contributions attributable to the Priority
Member Loan);
(e) Fifth,
pro rata distributions shall be made simultaneously to each of Concord and
Empire until Concord has received distributions pursuant to this Section 6.2(e)
in an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate amount of any
previously unpaid portion of the Management Fee and Empire has received
distributions pursuant to this Section 6.2(e) in an amount equal to fifty
percent (50%) of the aggregate amount of any previously unpaid portion of the
Management Fee;
(f) Sixth,
pro rata distributions shall be made simultaneously to each of Concord and
Empire until Concord has received distributions pursuant to this Section 6.2(f)
in an amount equal to any previously unpaid portion of the Concord Cash Equity
Preferred Return plus any previously unpaid portion of the Pre-Construction
Expense Return and Empire has received distributions pursuant to this Section
6.2(f) in an amount equal to any previously unpaid portion of the Empire Cash
Equity Preferred Return;
(g) Seventh,
pro rata distributions shall be made simultaneously to each of Concord and
Empire until Concord has received distributions pursuant to this Section 6.2(g)
in an amount equal to (i) the aggregate amount of any Pre-Construction Expenses
less the amount of any distribution made to Concord pursuant to this Section
6.2(g) as a reimbursement of any such Pre-Construction Expense, if any plus
(ii)
its aggregate Additional Capital Contributions made by Concord to the Company
in
connection with any Project of the Company directly affected by such Capital
Event less the amount of any distribution made to Concord pursuant to this
Section 6.2(g) as a reimbursement of any such Additional Capital Contribution,
if any, and Empire has received distributions pursuant to this Section 6.2(g)
in
an amount equal to its aggregate Additional Capital
Contributions made by Empire to the Company in connection with any
Project of the Company directly affected by such Capital Event less the amount
previously distributed to Empire pursuant to this Section 6.2(g), if
any;
(h) Eighth,
pro rata distributions shall be made simultaneously to each of Concord and
Empire until Concord has received distributions pursuant to this Section
6.2(h)
in
an amount equal to any previously unpaid portion of the Concord Real Property
Preferred Return and Empire has received distributions pursuant to this Section
6.2(h) in an amount equal to any previously unpaid portion of the Empire
Operations Preferred Return;
66
(i) Ninth,
pro rata distributions shall be made simultaneously to each of Concord and
Empire until Concord has received distributions pursuant to this Section 6.2(i)
in an amount equal to its aggregate Initial Capital Contribution made by Concord
to the Company in connection with any Project of the Company directly affected
by such Capital Event, less the amount previously distributed to Concord
pursuant to Section 6.4 below or pursuant to this Section 6.2(i), if any, and
Empire has received distributions pursuant to this Section 6.2(i) in an amount
equal to its aggregate Initial Capital Contribution made by Empire to the
Company in connection with any Project of the Company directly affected by
such
Capital Event less the amount previously distributed to Empire pursuant to
Section 6.4 below or pursuant to this Section 6.2(i), if any;
(j) Tenth,
the balance shall be distributed to the Members pro rata in accordance with
their Membership Interests.
6.3 Amounts
Withheld for Taxes. Notwithstanding any provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall withhold from all distributions
and
other payments to any Member or any Person any and all amounts required to
be
withheld under federal, state or local law. All amounts withheld
pursuant to this Section 6.3 shall be treated as a distribution to the Member
pursuant to this Article VI for all purposes under this Agreement.
6.4 Initial
Distribution of Capital. On the Effective Date of this Agreement,
the Company shall make distributions to Empire in a manner consistent with
the
Formation Agreement. At such time as any payment is made pursuant to
this Section 6.4, the balance of Empire’s Capital Account shall be modified to
reflect that such payment was made. In addition, on the Effective
Date of this Agreement, the Company may, at Concord’s election, make
distributions to Concord in an amount up to Concord’s Initial Capital
Contribution to the Company; provided, that funds are available to make any
such
distribution pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth by any financing
arrangement entered into by the Company in connection with the development
of
the Concord Property after distributions are made to Empire as provided for
above. At such time as any payment is made pursuant to this Section 6.4, the
balance of Concord’s Capital Account shall be modified to reflect that such
payment was made.
ARTICLE
VII
ALLOCATIONS
7.1 Book
Allocations. Sections 7.1(a) and (b) set forth the general rules
for book allocations to the Members, including allocations with respect to
operations and liquidation of the Company. Section 7.1(c) sets forth
various special rules that supersede the general rules of Sections 7.1(a) and
(b).
(a) (I)
Profit. Profits for each Fiscal Year shall be allocated as
follows:
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(i) First,
to Empire, as necessary, to cause the Capital Account balance of Empire to equal
the aggregate Reimbursement Amount previously received by
Empire;
(ii) Second,
to Concord, as necessary, to cause the Capital Account balance of Concord to
equal the aggregate Reimbursement Amount previously received by
Concord;
(iii) Third,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(I)(i)
and
7.1(a)(I)(ii), pro rata (i) to Concord, as necessary, to cause the Capital
Account balance of Concord to equal (a) the aggregate Reimbursement Amount
previously received by Concord plus (b) the sum of the Pre-Construction Expense
Return plus the Concord Cash Equity Preferred Return previously received by
Concord (such sum, the “Concord First Returns”) and (ii) to Empire, as
necessary, to cause the Capital Account balance of Empire to equal (a) the
aggregate Reimbursement Amount previously received by Empire plus (b) the Empire
Cash Equity Preferred Return previously received by Empire (such sum, the
“Empire First Returns”);
(iv) Fourth,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(I)(i)
through 7.1(a)(I)(iii), pro rata (i) to Concord, as necessary, to cause the
Capital Account balance of Concord to equal the sum of (a) the Concord First
Returns previously received by Concord, plus (b) the Concord Real Property
Preferred Return previously received by Concord (such sum, the “Concord
Preferred Return”) and (ii) to Empire, as necessary, to cause the Capital
Account balance of Empire to equal the sum of (a) the Empire First Returns
previously received by Empire plus (b) the Empire Operations Preferred Return
previously received by Empire (such sum, the “Empire Preferred
Return”);
(v) Fifth,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Sections 7.1(a)(I)(i)
through 7.1(a)(I)(iv), pro rata (i) to Concord, as necessary, to cause the
Capital Account balance of Concord to equal the sum of (a) the Concord Preferred
Return plus (b) (I) the aggregate amount of any Pre-Construction Expenses less
the amount of any distribution made to Concord pursuant to Section 6.2(g) of
this Agreement as a reimbursement of any such Pre-Construction Expense, plus
(II) the aggregate Additional Capital Contributions made by Concord to the
Company less the amount of any distribution made to Concord pursuant to Section
6.2(g) of this Agreement as a reimbursement of any such Additional Capital
Contribution (such sum, the “Total Concord Cash Return”) and (ii) to Empire, as
necessary, to cause the Capital Account balance of Empire to equal the sum
of
(a) the Empire Preferred Return plus (b) the aggregate Additional Capital
Contributions made by Empire to the Company reduced by any
distributions made to Empire pursuant to Section 6.2(g) (such sum, the “Total
Empire Cash Return”);
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(vi) Sixth,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Sections 7.1(a)(I)(i)
through 7.1(a)(I)(v), pro rata (i) to Concord, as necessary, to cause the
Capital Account balance of Concord to equal the sum of (a) the Total
Concord
Cash Return plus (b) the aggregate Initial Capital Contribution made by Concord
to the Company, reduced by any distributions made to Concord pursuant to Section
6.2(i) (such sum, the “Total Concord Return”) and (ii) to Empire, as necessary,
to cause the Capital Account balance of Empire to equal the sum of (a) the
Total
Empire Cash Return plus (b) the aggregate Initial Capital
Contribution made by Empire to the Company, reduced by any
distributions made to Empire pursuant to Section 6.2(i) (such sum, the “Total
Empire Return”); and
(vii) Seventh,
allocated to the Members pro rata in accordance with their Membership
Interests.
(II) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, profits realized by the Company as a result of the occurrence
of
any of the events described in clause (i) and (ii) of the definition of Capital
Event, shall be allocated as follows:
(viii) First,
to the Members in proportion to, and to the extent of, any deficit balances
in
their respective Capital Accounts until all such Capital Accounts have been
restored to zero;
(ix) Second,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(II)(i),
to Empire, as necessary, to cause the Capital Account balance of Empire to
equal
the aggregate Reimbursement Amount previously received by Empire;
(x) Third,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(II)(i),
to Concord, as necessary, to cause the Capital Account balance of Concord to
equal the aggregate Reimbursement Amount previously received by
Concord;
(xi) Fourth,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Sections 7.1(a)(II)(i)
through 7.1(a)(II)(iii), pro rata (i) to Concord, as necessary, to cause the
Capital Account balance of Concord to equal the Concord First Returns previously
received by Concord and (ii) to Empire, as necessary, to cause the Capital
Account balance of Empire to equal the Empire First Returns previously received
by Empire;
(xii) Fifth,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Sections
7.1(a)(II)(i) through 7.1(a)(II)(iv), pro rata (i) to Concord, as
necessary, to cause the Capital Account balance of Concord to equal the Concord
Preferred Return and (ii) to Empire, as necessary, to cause the Capital Account
balance of Empire to equal the Empire Preferred Return;
(xiii) Sixth,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Sections 7.1(a)(II)(i)
through 7.1(a)(II)(v), pro rata (i) to Concord, as necessary, to cause the
Capital Account balance of Concord to equal Total Concord Cash Return
and (ii) to Empire, as necessary, to cause the Capital Account balance of Empire
to equal the Total Empire Cash Return;
69
(xiv) Seventh,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Sections 7.1(a)(II)(i)
through 7.1(a)(II)(vi), pro rata (i) to Concord, as necessary, to cause the
Capital Account balance of Concord to equal the Total Concord Return and (ii)
to
Empire, as necessary, to cause the Capital Account balance of Empire to equal
the Total Empire Return; and
(xv) Eighth,
allocated to the Members pro rata in accordance with their Membership
Interests.
(b) Losses. Losses
for each Fiscal Year shall be allocated as follows:
(i) First,
pro rata (i) to Concord, as necessary, to cause the Capital Account balance
of
Concord to equal the Total Concord Return and (ii) to Empire, as necessary,
to
cause the Capital Account balance of Empire to equal the Total Empire
Return;
(ii) Second,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Sections 7.1(b)(i)
, pro
rata (i) to Concord, as necessary, to cause the Capital Account balance of
Concord to equal Total Concord Cash Return and (ii) to Empire, as necessary,
to
cause the Capital Account balance of Empire to equal the Total Empire Cash
Return;
(iii) Third,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Sections 7.1(b)(i)
through 7.1(b)(ii), pro rata (i) to Concord, as necessary, to cause the Capital
Account balance of Concord to equal the Concord Preferred Return and (ii) to
Empire, as necessary, to cause the Capital Account balance of Empire to equal
the Empire Preferred Return;
(iv) Fourth,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Sections 7.1(b)(i)
through 7.1(b)(iii), pro rata (i) to Concord, as necessary, to cause the Capital
Account balance of Concord to equal the Concord First Returns previously
received by Concord and (ii) to Empire, as necessary, to cause the Capital
Account balance of Empire to equal the Empire First Returns previously received
by Empire;
(v) Fifth,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Sections 7.1(b)(i)
through 7.1(b)(iv), to Concord, as necessary, to cause the Capital Account
balance of Concord to equal the aggregate Reimbursement Amount previously
received by Concord;
(vi) Sixth,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Sections 7.1(b)(i)
through 7.1(b)(iv), to Empire, as necessary, to cause the Capital Account
balance of Empire to equal the aggregate Reimbursement Amount previously
received by Empire;
70
(vii) Seventh,
after giving effect to the allocations made pursuant to Sections 7.1(b)(i)
through 7.1(b)(vi), pro rata (i) to Concord, as necessary, to cause the
Concord’s Capital Account balance to equal zero and (ii) to Empire, as
necessary, to cause the Empire’s Capital Account balance to equal
zero;
(viii) Eighth,
allocated to the Members pro rata in accordance with their Membership
Interests.
(c) Special
Rules. Notwithstanding Sections 7.1(a) and (b), during any
taxable period in which the Company is treated as a partnership for income
tax
purposes, the following special allocation rules shall apply under the
circumstances described:
(i) Limitation
on Loss Allocations. The Losses allocated to any Member pursuant
to Section 7.1(b) with respect to any Fiscal Year shall not exceed the maximum
amount of Losses that can be so allocated without causing such Member to have
an
Adjusted Capital Account Deficit at the end of such Fiscal Year. All
Losses in excess of the limitation set forth in this Section 7.1(c)(i) shall
be
allocated first, to the Member who will not be subject to this limitation,
and
second, any remaining amount to the Members in the manner required by the Code
and the Regulations. If any Loss is allocated pursuant to this Section
7.1(c)(i), then the Members receiving such Loss allocation shall be specially
allocated to the extent available items of Company income and gain for such
period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in proportion to and to the
extent of such Loss allocations.
(ii) Company
Minimum Gain. Except as otherwise provided in Regulations Section
1.704-2(f), if there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during any
Company taxable period, each Member shall be specially allocated items of
Company income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods)
in proportion to and to the extent of, an amount equal to the portion of such
Member’s share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain, determined in
accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(g). This Section
7.1(c)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and
gain
requirement in Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted
consistently therewith.
(iii) Minimum
Gain Attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt. Except as otherwise
provided in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in
Minimum Gain Attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt during any Company taxable
period, each Member with a share of Minimum Gain Attributable to Member
Nonrecourse Debt shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain
for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in proportion to, and
to
the extent of, an amount equal to the portion of such Member’s share of the net
decrease in the Minimum Gain Attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined
in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4). This Section
7.1(c)(iii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items
of
income and gain requirement in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall
be
interpreted consistently therewith.
71
(iv) Qualified
Income Offset. In the event any Member unexpectedly receives any
adjustments, allocations, or distributions described in Regulations Sections
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4),(5) or (6), and such adjustment,
allocation or distribution causes or increases an Adjusted Capital Account
Deficit for such Member, then before any other allocations are made under this
Agreement or otherwise, such Member shall be allocated items of
Company income and gain (consisting of a pro rata portion of each item of
Company income, including gross income and gain) in an amount and manner
sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Regulations, such
Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of such Member as quickly as
possible.
(v) Nonrecourse
Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall
be allocated to the Members in the same ratios that Profits and Losses, as
applicable, are allocated for such period in accordance with Regulations Section
1.704-2(b)(1).
(vi) Member
Nonrecourse Deductions. Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any
taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Member that bears the economic
risk of loss (as defined in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b) with respect to
the
Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are
attributable in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)). If
more than one Member bears the economic risk of loss with respect to a Member
Nonrecourse Debt, such Member Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall
be allocated between or among such Members in accordance with the ratios in
which they share such economic risk of loss.
(vii) Curative
Allocations. The allocations set forth in Sections 7.1(c)(i)
through 7.1(c)(vi) (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with
certain requirements of Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and
1.704-2(b). Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 7.1
(other than the Regulatory Allocations), the Regulatory Allocations shall be
taken into account in allocating other items of income, gain, loss, and
deduction among the Members so that, to the extent possible, the net amount
of
such allocations of other items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Member
shall be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to such Member
if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred.
(viii) Compliance
with Substantial Economic Effect and Fractions Rules
Requirements. It is intended that the allocations set forth in
the Agreement satisfy the “substantial economic effect” requirement of Code
Section 704(b) and the “fractions rule” of Code Section 514(c)(9)(E) and
Regulations Section 1.514(c)-2. However, in the event that counsel to
the Company determines that such requirements are not satisfied, the Members
may, in their reasonable discretion, modify such allocations in order to comply
with such requirements and to avoid the
allocation of Company items to any “qualified organization” (within the meaning
of Code Section 514(c)(9)(C)) to be such that the qualified organization’s
maximum share (for any taxable year) of overall Company income is greater than
its minimum share of overall Company loss, subject to exceptions for (i) certain
permitted “chargebacks” or certain permitted disproportionate allocations to
offset preferred returns and (ii) losses attributable to certain events such
as
tort liabilities which are deemed unlikely to occur.
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7.2 Tax
Allocations.
(a) In
General. Allocations for tax purposes of items of income, gain,
loss, deduction, and basis therefor, shall be made in the same manner as
allocations for book purposes set forth in Section 7.1. Allocations
pursuant to this Section 7.2 are solely for purposes of U.S. federal, state
and
local income taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account
in
computing, any Member’s Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses, other items
or distributions pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.
(b) Elimination
of Book/Tax Disparities. During any taxable period in which the
Company is treated as a partnership for income tax purposes, in determining
a
Member’s allocable share of Company taxable income, the Member’s allocable share
of each item of Profit and Loss shall be properly adjusted to reflect the
difference between such Member’s share of the adjusted tax basis and the Asset
Value of Company assets used in determining such item. This Section
7.2(b) is intended to comply with the requirements of Code Section 704(c) and
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) and shall be interpreted consistently
therewith. Any elections or other decisions relating to such
allocations shall be made by the Members in any manner that reasonably reflects
the purpose and intention of this Agreement.
(c) Conformity
of Reporting. The Members are aware of the income tax
consequences of the allocations made by this Section 7.2 and hereby agree to
be
bound by the provisions of this Section 7.2 in reporting their shares of Company
profits, gains, income, losses, deductions, credits and other items for income
tax purposes.
7.3 Transferred
Interests. If any Membership Interest (or portion thereof) is
sold, assigned or transferred during any Fiscal Year, then Profit, Loss, each
item thereof and all other items realized by the Company during such Fiscal
Year
shall be divided and allocated between the Members by taking into account their
varying interests during the Fiscal Year in accordance with Code Section 706(d),
using any conventions permitted by law and selected by the Members.
7.4 Section
754 Election. In the event of a Transfer of a Membership Interest
in the Company permitted under this Agreement, the Company shall, at the request
of the Transferring Member, file an election under Section 754 of the Code
to
adjust the bases of the assets of the Company in accordance with the provisions
of Section 743 of the Code. Any costs associated with such election
(such as accounting fees) shall be borne by the Transferring
Member.
73
7.5 Xxxxxxxxxx
Tax Credits. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this Agreement, all Xxxxxxxxxx Tax Credits shall be specifically allocated
to
Concord. In the event
that the Company pays expenses of any necessary environmental remediation on
the
Concord Property and Concord or any of its Affiliates receives an Environmental
Remediation Credit under the Xxxxxxxxxx Cleanup Program for such expense,
Concord shall pay, or shall cause its Affiliate to pay, to Empire fifty percent
(50%) of the amount of any such Xxxxxxxxxx Tax Credit received and/or earned
by
Concord or any of its Affiliates in connection with the environmental
remediation undertaken by the Company on the Concord Property, but excluding
any
Tangible Property Tax Credit received under the Xxxxxxxxxx Cleanup Program,
not
to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the cost of any such remediation, within thirty
(30) days of the date that such Xxxxxxxxxx Tax Credit was received and/or
earned.
7.6 Tax
Matters Member. For purposes of Code Sections 6221 through 6223,
Concord and Empire are hereby jointly designated as the “tax matters partner” of
the Company. The rights of the tax matter partner regarding the tax
matters of the Company shall also include, without limitation, the right to
select the allocation method under Section 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code
and the right to conduct the Company’s business in such a manner as the tax
matter partner shall determine to avoid or to reasonably minimize unrelated
business taxable income to the members of the Company.
ARTICLE
VIII
TRANSFER
MATTERS
8.1 General. No
Member may directly or indirectly Transfer all or any portion of its Membership
Interest except in accordance with this Article VIII.
8.2 Permitted
Transfers. Subject to Section 8.3,
(a) the
Transfer of a Membership Interest by a Member, other than pursuant to Section
8.4, shall require the consent of the other Member; and
(b) each
Person owning a direct or indirect equity interest in either of the Members
shall have the right, from time-to-time and in its sole discretion, without
the
consent of the other Member, to Transfer all or any portion of its direct or
indirect equity interest in the applicable Member in whole or in part to (i)
each other, and (ii) trusts or other entities established for the benefit of
family members, for estate planning purposes; and
(c) Empire
shall have the right to transfer up to 1/3rd of their
Membership Interest in the Company to the Tribe without the prior consent of
Concord.
8.3 Transfer
Requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, the Company shall not recognize for any purpose any purported Transfer
unless:
(a) the
Company shall have been furnished with the documents effecting such Transfer
executed and acknowledged by both transferor and transferee, together with
the
written agreement of the transferee to become a party to and be bound by this
Agreement, as amended or supplemented from time to time;
74
(b) such
Transfer shall have been made in accordance with all applicable laws and
regulations and all necessary governmental consents shall have been obtained
and
requirements satisfied, including without limitation, compliance with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state blue sky and securities
laws;
(c) such
Transfer will not cause the Company to have more than 100 partners (within
the
meaning of Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)) or does not otherwise cause the
Company to be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of
Section 7704 of the Code;
(d) all
necessary instruments reflecting such admission shall have been filed in each
jurisdiction in which such filing is necessary in order to qualify the Company
to conduct business or to preserve the limited liability of the
Members;
(e) such
Transfer would not, if made within the United States, be registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 and will not cause the Company to be required to register
as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
and
(f) such
Transfer does not violate the applicable provisions of this
Agreement.
The
non-transferring Member may request an opinion of counsel (the cost of which
shall be borne by the Transferring Member) with respect to any of the foregoing
or any other matters that the non-transferring Member reasonably deems
appropriate in respect of any such Transfer. In addition, any of the
foregoing provisions may be waived if each Member of the Company consents to
such waiver.
As
promptly as practicable after the admission of any Person as a Member, the
books
and records of the Company shall be changed to reflect such
admission. All reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Company
in connection with any Transfer of any Membership Interest and, if applicable,
the admission of any transferee as a Member shall be paid by such
transferee.
8.4 Buy-Sell.
(a) Determination
of Price. At any time after Stabilization, upon a deadlock of the
Members for more than thirty (30) days on the Major Decisions in Section 4.5(c),
either Member (the “Initiating Member”), by written notification given to the
other Member (the “Buy/Sell Notice”), may call for a buy-out procedure as
described in this Section 8.4. In the Buy/Sell Notice, the Initiating
Member shall state such Member’s belief as to the amount (the “FMV Amount”) that
a disinterested third party buyer would pay in cash in an arm’s-length
transaction for all of the assets (including the Company’s interest in the
Property) of the Company. Within forty-five (45) days after the date on which
the Buy/Sell Notice is given, the other Member shall give notice (the “Election
Notice”) to the Initiating Member as to whether the other Member elects to sell
such other Member’s Membership Interest to the Initiating Member at a price
derived from the FMV Amount or whether such other Member elects to purchase
the
Initiating Member’s Membership Interest at a price derived from the FMV Amount.
Based on such notice, either
such other Member or the Initiating Member will be the “Selling Member” and the
other Member will be the “Buying Member.”
75
(b) Payment
Amount and Procedures.
(i) The
purchase price to be paid to the Selling Member by the Buying Member for the
purchase of the Selling Member’s Membership Interest shall be the amount (the
“Payment Amount”) that such Selling Member would receive if the assets of
the Company, subject to their liabilities, were sold to a third party for a
purchase price equal to the FMV Amount, the Company were liquidated, all
liabilities to the Members and third parties were discharged and the proceeds
of
the FMV Amount were distributed in accordance with the Members’ Membership
Interests. Within ten (10) days after the giving of the Election Notice, the
Buying Member shall deposit with the Selling Member’s attorney a nonrefundable
deposit (the “Deposit”) in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the Payment
Amount.
(ii) Once
the Buying Member is prepared to make the payment of the Payment Amount, the
Buying Member shall give a written notification (the “Buy/Sell Closing
Notice”) to the Selling Member, provided, however, that in no event shall
the Buy/Sell Closing Notice be given more than one hundred eighty (180) days
after the date on which the Election Notice is given. The Buy/Sell Closing
Notice shall state (a) that the Buying Member is ready, willing and able to
pay
the Payment Amount to the Selling Member and (b) the date, not less than ten
(10) nor more than thirty (30) days from the giving of the Buy/Sell Closing
Notice (the “Buy/Sell Closing Date”) upon which the closing (the
“Buy/Sell Closing”) of the purchase and sale of the Selling Member’s
Membership Interest to the Buying Member for the Payment Amount shall occur.
At
the Buy/Sell Closing, (a) the Membership Interest of the Selling Member shall
be
transferred, assigned, sold and conveyed to the Buying Member free and clear
of
any liens or encumbrances, by instrument reasonably satisfactory to the Buying
Member (the “Buy-Out Transfer”), (b) simultaneously with the Buy-Out
Transfer, the Buying Member will pay to the Selling Member in cash in full,
at
such location and in such manner as the Buying Member may reasonably determine,
an amount equal to the Payment Amount (including the Deposit which will be
released at the closing), (c) all voting authority appurtenant to the Selling
Member’s Membership Interest shall be deemed to be vested with the Buying
Member, and the Buy-Out Transfer shall be deemed to have occurred without any
further act or deed of either the Buying Member or the Selling
Member.
(c) Sale
of Property. If the Buying Member does not purchase the Membership Interest
of the Selling Member in accordance herewith, the Buying Member shall forfeit
the Deposit and the Selling Member shall have the authority to cause the Company
to market and sell the Property at a price, payable in cash, equal to or greater
than the FMV Amount, within one hundred eighty (180) days of the earlier of
(i)
the last date on which the Buy/Sell Closing could have occurred pursuant to
Section 8.4(b) and (ii) the date on which the Buying Member notifies the Selling
Member that it will not purchase such Membership Interest.
76
(d) Termination
of Other Agreements. All agreements with the Selling Member or
its Affiliates will (at the election of the Buying Member) be terminated on
the
date the Selling Member’s Membership Interest is purchased, and all debt owed to
the Selling Member or any of its Affiliates shall be repaid in full by the
Company at the closing of the purchase and sale under this Section
8.4.
ARTICLE
IX
BOOKS
AND RECORDS; BANK ACCOUNTS
9.1 Books
and Records. The books and records of the Company shall, at the
cost and expense of the Company, be kept or caused to be kept by the Members
at
the principal place of business of the Company. Such books and
records will be kept on the basis of a calendar year, and will reflect all
Company transactions and be appropriate and adequate for conducting the
Company’s business.
9.2 Bank
Accounts. All funds of the Company will be deposited in its name
in an account or accounts maintained with such bank or banks selected by the
Members. The funds of the Company will not be commingled with the
funds of any other Person. Checks will be drawn upon the Company
account or accounts only for the purposes of the Company and shall be signed
by
authorized representatives of the Company as determined by the
Members.
ARTICLE
X
DISSOLUTION
AND LIQUIDATION
10.1 Dissolution. Subject
to Section 4.5(c), the Company shall be dissolved upon the written consent
of
the Members.
10.2 Distribution
Upon Dissolution.
(a) Upon
dissolution of the Company, no further business shall be conducted except for
the taking of such action as shall be necessary for the winding up of the
affairs of the Company and the distribution of assets pursuant to the provisions
of this Section. The Members shall appoint a “Liquidating
Trustee” by unanimous vote. The Liquidating Trustee shall have
full authority to wind up the affairs of the Company and to make distributions
provided herein.
(b) Upon
dissolution of the Company, the Liquidating Trustee shall either sell the assets
of the Company at the best price available, or the Liquidating Trustee may
distribute to the Members all or any portion of the Company’s assets in
kind. If any assets are to be distributed in kind, the Liquidating
Trustee shall ascertain the fair market value of such assets, and each Member’s
Capital Account shall be charged or credited, as the case may be, as if such
asset had been sold for cash at such fair market value and the Profit or Loss
recognized thereby had been allocated to and among the Members in accordance
with Article VII.
77
(c) The
net proceeds resulting from the liquidation of the assets of the Company shall
be distributed in the same manner set forth in Section 6.2(a), and then to
all
Members in proportion to their positive Capital Account balances; provided,
however, if the Capital Account balances of the Members determined on a
tentative basis (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and
allocations for all periods), differ from the amounts that would be distributed
to them pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2 hereof, then notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein (except the allocations described Section 7.1(c)
of this Agreement), items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be specially
allocated among the Members for the fiscal year in which the dissolution of
the
Company occurs (and, if necessary, prior fiscal years) in order to conform
the
Capital Account balances of the Members to the amounts that would be distributed
to them pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if any Member shall be indebted to the Company, then, until
payment of such indebtedness by said Member, the Liquidating Trustee shall
retain such Member’s distributive share of the Company properties and assets
and, after applying the cost of operation of such properties and assets during
the period of such liquidation against the income therefrom, the balance of
such
income shall be applied in liquidation of such indebtedness. However,
if at the expiration of two (2) months after notice of such outstanding
indebtedness has been given to such Member, such amount has not been paid or
otherwise liquidated in full, the Liquidating Trustee may sell the assets
allocable to such Member at public or private sale at the best price immediately
obtainable, such best price to be determined in the sole judgment of the
Liquidating Trustee. As much of the proceeds of such sale as shall be
necessary to liquidate such indebtedness shall then be so applied, and the
balance of such proceeds, if any, shall be distributed to such
Member. Any gain or loss realized for federal income tax purposes
upon the disposition of such assets shall, to the extent permitted by law,
be
allocated to such Member, and to the extent not so permitted, to the Members
in
accordance with Article VII hereof.
10.3 Cancellation
of Certificate. Upon the completion of the distribution of
Company assets as provided in this Article X, the Company shall be terminated,
and the Members shall cause the cancellation of the Certificate and all
amendments thereto, and shall take such other actions as may be necessary or
appropriate to terminate the Company.
ARTICLE
XI
PARTICIPATION
11.1 Reserved.
11.2 Each
of Empire and Concord shall negotiate in good faith regarding Empire’s right to
participate in any hotel development project arising out of or in connection
with the remaining 1,575 acres owned by Concord that is adjacent to the Concord
Property (an “Adjacent Land Project”) as a one-half (1/2) partner and to
acquire a fifty percent (50%) ownership interest in any entity that shall
undertake such Adjacent Land Project, and that the participation by Empire
in
any such Adjacent Land Project shall be on terms and conditions substantially
similar to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and in the
Formation Agreement, as such agreements may be modified to address any unique
conditions existing at the Adjacent Land Project and any material changes in
the
market that shall cause any of the terms provided for herein or in the Formation
Agreement to be commercially unreasonable; provided, that the parties hereby
agree that the appraised fair market value of any Adjacent Land Project shall
be
78
determined
based on its use for the development of a hotel, assuming that all Governmental
Approvals necessary to pursue an Adjacent Land Project on the remaining 1,575
acres owned by Concord have been obtained. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Section 11.2 or in the Formation Agreement, Empire hereby
agrees Concord has obtained preliminary site plan approval for a hotel-spa
facility that shall consist of up to 200 rooms and that shall be constructed
by
Concord on the remaining 1,575 acres owned by Concord that is adjacent to the
Concord Property, and that Empire shall not have any right to participate in
the
development of such hotel-spa facility.
(a) Concord
shall not sell, assign or otherwise transfer any of its interests with respect
to any hotel development project involving an Adjacent Land Project to any
other
person or entity other than Empire until such time as either (i) each of Concord
and Empire agree that all negotiations between the parties have ceased and
that
Empire has relinquished its participation rights under this Section 11.2, (ii)
each of Concord and Empire shall have entered into an agreement whereby Empire
is permitted to participate in any Adjacent Land Project pursuant to the terms
and conditions of this Section 11.2 or (iii) should legal action regarding
the
participation rights set forth in this Section 11.2 be instituted, the date
of
entry of a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction.
ARTICLE
XII
GENERAL
12.1 Covenants,
Representations and Warranties of the Members. The Members agree and
acknowledge that their Membership Interests are being acquired by them for
investment purposes only and not with a view to any sale thereof; that they
have
had adequate opportunity to obtain from representatives of the Company and
others all information necessary for purposes of evaluating the merits and
risks
of holding a Membership Interest; that they are able to bear the economic risk
of holding their Membership Interests hereunder for an indefinite period; that
the Membership Interests are illiquid assets and that there is no market in
which to effectuate a resale thereof or any portion thereof; and that, in any
event, the resale of their Membership Interests cannot be effectuated except
pursuant to compliance with the registration requirements under the federal
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.
12.2 Further
Assurances. Each Member agrees to execute, acknowledge, deliver,
file, record and publish such further instruments and documents, and do all
such
other acts and things as may be required by law, or as may be required to carry
out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
12.3 Title
to Company Property. All property owned by the Company,
including, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, shall be deemed
to
be owned by the Company as an entity, and no Member, individually, shall have
any ownership of such property. The Company may hold any of its
assets in its own name or in the name of its nominee, which nominee may be
one
or more Persons.
12.4 Severability. Every
provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable. Any
provision of this Agreement, which is illegal, invalid, prohibited or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, will, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective
to the extent of such illegality, invalidity, prohibition
or unenforceability without invalidating or impairing the remaining provisions
hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any
other jurisdiction. If any term or provision hereof is illegal or
invalid for any reason whatsoever, such illegality or invalidity will not affect
the validity of the remainder of this Agreement.
79
12.5 Governing
Law. This Agreement and rights and obligations of the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof will be interpreted and
enforced in accordance with, and governed exclusively by, the laws of the State
of New York, excluding the conflicts of law provisions thereof.
12.6 Successors
and Assigns. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted successors, heirs, and
assigns.
12.7 Waiver
of Action for Partition. Each of the Members irrevocably waives
during the term of the Company any right that it may have to maintain any action
for partition with respect to any property of the Company.
12.8 Headings. The
headings of the Articles, Sections and paragraphs of this Agreement have been
inserted for convenience of reference only and do not constitute a part of
this
Agreement.
12.9 Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties
in separate counterparts, with the same effect as if all parties had signed
the
same documents, each of which will be considered an original, but all such
counterparts together will constitute but one and the same
Agreement.
12.10 Entire
Agreement. This Agreement and the Formation Agreement constitute
the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof. This Agreement, the Formation Agreement and the exhibits
hereto and thereto supersede all prior written and all prior and contemporaneous
oral agreements, understandings, negotiations and representations between the
parties with respect to such subject matter.
12.11 Amendment. This
Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing signed by all of
the
Members.
12.12 Notices. Any
notice or communication which may be or is required to be given pursuant to
the
terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent to the respective
party at the addresses set forth below, postage prepaid, by certified mail,
return receipt requested, by a nationally recognized overnight courier service
that provides tracing and proof of receipt of items mailed or by facsimile
provided that if notices are given by facsimile a copy thereof must be sent
on
the same day by nationally recognized overnight courier service that provides
tracing and proof of receipt of items mailed for next Business Day delivery.
Notices shall be effective upon the date of receipt or refusal of receipt.
Either party may change the address to which notices to it shall be sent by
a
notice sent in accordance with the requirements of this Section
12.12.
80
To
Empire:
|
Empire
Resorts, Inc.
|
x/x
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxx
00X
|
|
Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
|
|
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Fax
No.: (000) 000-0000
|
|
With
a copy to:
|
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Frome Xxxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
|
00
Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
|
|
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
|
|
Attn:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
|
|
Fax
No.: (000) 000-0000
|
|
To
Company:
|
Concord
Associates, L.P.
|
c/o
Cappelli Enterprises, Inc.
|
|
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
|
|
Attn:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
|
Fax
No.: (000) 000-0000
|
|
With
a copy to:
|
XxxXxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
|
Xxxx
& Xxxxxxxxxx, LLP
|
|
Xxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
|
|
Attn: Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
|
|
Fax
No.: 000-000-0000
|
12.13 Construction. None
of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or enforceable
by, any creditors of the Company or other third parties.
12.14 Waiver. No
consent or waiver, express or implied, by any Member to or of any breach or
default by any other Member in the performance by such other Member of its
obligations under this Agreement shall be deemed or construed to be a consent
to
or waiver of any other breach or default in the performance by such other Member
of the same or any other obligation of such other Member under this
Agreement. Failure on the part of any Member to complain of any act
or failure to act of any other Member or to declare any other Member in default,
irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver
by such Member of its rights under this Agreement.
12.15 Consequential
Damages. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in
this Agreement, no Member nor its Affiliates shall, in any event, be liable
to
any other Member or any of its respective Affiliates for any indirect,
incidental, special or consequential damages, including, but not limited to,
loss of revenue, cost of capital, loss of business reputation or opportunity
whether such liability arises out of contract, tort (including negligence),
strict liability or otherwise.
81
12.16 Disputes. All
claims, disputes, deadlocks and other matters in question arising out of, or
relating to, this Agreement or the breach hereof (a “Dispute”)
shall be decided by arbitration in accordance with this Section 12.16 unless
otherwise mutually agreed to by the parties hereto. The agreement by the parties
to arbitrate pursuant to this Section 12.16 shall be enforceable under
prevailing law.
(a) Any
Dispute subject to arbitration shall be immediately submitted to arbitration
as
herein provided, and in no event later than five (5) business days after the
Dispute has occurred. If the Members have not jointly initiated arbitration
within such five (5) business days, the arbitration may be initiated by a Member
by giving notice to the others in accordance with Section 12.16(b)
below. The Members hereby agree that such arbitration proceeding
shall be prosecuted without delay and that such proceeding shall be concluded
and decision rendered thereon within thirty (30) days after the commencement
thereof, it being recognized and agreed that any delay will materially and
adversely affect the financial and other interests of the Company. Any
arbitration under this Agreement shall take place in New York, New York under
the authority of, and in accordance with the rules of, the American Arbitration
Association. The decision of the arbitrator shall be binding upon the
parties. The costs and expenses of the arbitration proceedings and all legal
fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with any dispute under this
Agreement prior to arbitration shall be paid by the non prevailing party or
as
otherwise equitably apportioned by the arbitrator.
(b) Written
notice of demand (the “Demand Notice”) to arbitrate by any party to this
Agreement shall be given to the other party and simultaneously filed with the
American Arbitration Association. The Demand Notice shall be given within a
reasonable time after the Dispute in question has arisen and in no event shall
such Demand Notice be given after the date when institution of legal or
equitable proceedings based on such Dispute shall be barred by the applicable
statute of limitations.
(c) All
claims related to or dependent upon each other and in existence at the time any
matter is brought to arbitration shall be presented to and heard by the
arbitrators even though the parties are not the same, unless a specific contract
prohibits such consolidation.
[The
remainder of this page has been intentionally left
blank.]
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the day and year first
above written.
Concord
Associates, L.P.
|
|||
By: Convention
Hotels, LLC, its General Partner
|
|||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
|
||
Title:
|
Managing
Member
|
||
Empire
Resorts, Inc.
|
|||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
||
Title:
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
83