Investment Grade (each such event, an “Upgrade Event”), the Partnership will thereafter accrue cumulative cash distributions on each then-outstanding Series A Preferred Unit at a rate equal to (a) the distribution rate in effect immediately prior to the Upgrade Event, minus (b) 0.25% of the liquidation preference per annum; provided, however, that in no event shall the Partnership accrue cash distribution at a rate lower than the Initial Rate.
If any Series A Preferred Units are outstanding after September 22, 2026, beginning on September 30, 2026, the Partnership shall accrue cumulative cash distributions on each then-outstanding Series A Preferred Unit at a rate equal to (a) the distribution rate in effect on September 22, 2026, plus (b) an additional 1.00% of the liquidation preference per annum, which will increase by an additional 1.00% of the liquidation preference per annum on September 30 each year thereafter, subject to a maximum annual distribution rate equal to the Maximum Rate while the Series A Preferred Unit remains outstanding.
Distributions on each Series A Preferred Unit shall accrue and be cumulative from and including, the original date of issuance of such Series A Preferred Unit and shall be payable quarterly in equal amounts in arrears on or about March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 30 of each year, beginning on December 30, 2021 (each such day being hereinafter called, a “Payment Date”); provided, however, if any Payment Date is not a Business Day (as defined below), then the distribution which would otherwise have been payable on such Payment Date may be paid on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if paid on such Payment Date, and no interest or additional distributions or other sums shall accrue on the amount so payable from such Payment Date to such next succeeding Business Day; provided, further, that the General Partner, as the holder of the Series A Preferred Units, shall not be entitled to receive any distributions paid or payable on the Series A Preferred Units with a Payment Date before the date such shares of Series A Preferred Units are issued.
The amount of any distribution payable on the Series A Preferred Units for any partial distribution period shall be prorated and computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Distributions shall be payable to the General Partner, as the holder of the Series A Preferred Units.
(b) No distributions on the Series A Preferred Units shall be authorized by the General Partner or declared, paid or set apart for payment by the Partnership at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Partnership, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibits such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof, or a default thereunder, or if such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart shall be restricted or prohibited by law.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, distributions on the Series A Preferred Units shall accrue whether or not the restrictions referred to in Section 3(b) exist, whether or not the Partnership has earnings, whether or not there are assets legally available for the payment of such distributions and whether or not such distributions are authorized or declared.
(d) Except as provided in Section 3(e) below, no distributions shall be declared and paid or set apart for payment, and no other distributions of cash or other property may be declared and made, directly or indirectly, on or with respect to, Parity Units or Junior Units (other than a distribution paid in Junior Units or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase Junior Units) for any period, nor shall Parity Units or Junior Units be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (other than a redemption, purchase or acquisition of Common Units made for purposes of and in compliance with requirements of any incentive, benefit or stock purchase plan of the General Partner or any subsidiary thereof, or a redemption, purchase or acquisition of Parity Units or Junior Units in connection with a redemption, purchase or acquisition of REIT Shares as permitted under Article VI of the General Partner’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement (the “Charter”), as may be amended or supplemented from time to time), nor shall any assets be paid or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares by the Partnership, directly or indirectly (except by conversion into or exchange for Junior Units or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe for Junior Units, and except for purchases or exchanges pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to the General Partner, as holder of the Series A Preferred Units, and all holders of Parity Units), unless full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units for all past distribution periods shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for such payment.
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