## General 

The following discussion is based on the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2002 and for the year ended December 31, 2002. Prior year data is based on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2001 and 2000 and for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000. 

## Critical Accounting Policies 

The Company’s accounting policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. These judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the Company’s financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. If judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied resulting in a different presentation of the financial statements. Below is a discussion of accounting policies which the Company considers critical in that they may require judgment in their application or require estimates about matters which are inherently uncertain. Additional discussion of accounting policies which the Company considers significant, including further discussion of the critical accounting policies described below, can be found in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

## Valuation of Real Estate Investments 

Real estate investment properties are stated at historic cost basis less depreciation. Management believes that these assets have generally appreciated in value and, accordingly, the aggregate current value exceeds their aggregate net book value and also exceeds the value of the Company’s liabilities as reported in these financial statements. Because these financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP, they do not report the current value of the Company’s real estate assets. 

If there is an event or change in circumstance that indicates an impairment in the value of a real estate investment property, the Company assesses an impairment in value by making a comparison of the current and projected operating cash flows of the property over its remaining useful life, on an undiscounted basis, to the carrying amount of that property. If such carrying amount is greater than the estimated projected cash flows, the Company would recognize an impairment loss equivalent to an amount required to adjust the carrying amount to its estimated fair market value. 

Interest, real estate taxes and other carrying costs are capitalized on projects under construction. Once construction is substantially complete and the assets are placed in service, rental income, direct operating expenses, and depreciation associated with such properties are included in current operations. 

In the initial rental operations of development projects, a project is considered substantially complete and available for occupancy upon completion of tenant improvements, but no later than one year from the cessation of major construction activity. Substantially completed portions of a project are accounted for as separate projects. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method and estimated useful lives of 33 to 50 years for buildings and up to 20 years for certain other improvements. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lives of the related leases using the straight-line method. 

## Lease Acquisition Costs 

Certain initial direct costs incurred by the Company in negotiating and consummating a successful lease are capitalized and amortized over the initial base term of the lease. Capitalized leasing costs consists of commissions paid to third party leasing agents as well as internal direct costs such as employee compensation and payroll related fringe benefits directly related to time spent performing leasing related activities. Such activities include evaluating the prospective tenant’s financial condition, evaluating and recording guarantees, collateral and other security arrangements, negotiating lease terms, preparing lease documents and closing the transactions. 

