FRP PROPERTIES, INC. 155 East 21st Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32206 --------------------------- NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS To The Shareholders: The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of FRP Properties, Inc. will be held at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, local time, on Wednesday, February 4, 1998 at the general offices of the Company, 155 East 21st Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32206, for the following purposes, as more fully described in the attached proxy statement: 1. To elect four directors to serve for a term of four years. 2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. Shareholders of record at the close of business on December 8, 1997 are entitled to vote at said annual meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS December 17, 1997 John R. Mabbett III Secretary TO ASSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON. FRP PROPERTIES, INC. 155 East 21st Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32206 PROXY STATEMENT ANNUAL MEETING - February 4, 1998 The attached proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of FRP Properties, Inc. (the "Company") for use at the annual meeting of the shareholders to be held on Wednesday, February 4, 1998 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, local time, and any adjournments thereof, at the principal offices of the Company, 155 East 21st Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32206. The proxy is revocable by written notice to the Secretary of the Company at any time before its exercise. Shares represented by properly executed and returned proxies will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the shareholders' directions or, if no directions are indicated, will be voted in favor of the election of the nominees proposed in this proxy statement and, if any other matters properly come before the meeting, in accordance with the best judgment of the persons designated as proxies. This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy are being distributed to shareholders on or about December 17, 1997. VOTING PROCEDURES The holders of record of common stock at the close of business on December 8, 1997, may vote at the meeting. On such date there were outstanding 3,438,235 shares of common stock of the Company. Under the Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. Under the Company's Bylaws, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. Under the Florida Business Corporation Act, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast and other matters are approved if affirmative votes cast by the holders of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter exceed the votes opposing the action, unless a greater number of affirmative votes is required by this act or the Company's Articles of Incorporation. Abstentions and broker non- votes will have no effect on the vote for election of directors and most routine matters. A broker non-vote generally occurs when a broker who holds shares in street name for a customer does not have authority to vote on certain non-routine matters because its customer has not provided any voting instructions on the matter. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Under the Company's Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is divided into four classes. One class of directors is elected at each annual meeting of shareholders for a four-year term of office or until their successors are elected and qualified. The four below-named directors are nominated to be elected by the shareholders to hold office until the 2002 annual meeting. The enclosed proxy will be voted for the election of the persons named as directors of the Company unless otherwise indicated by the shareholders. If any of the nominees named should become unavailable for election for any presently unforeseen reason, the persons named in the proxy shall have the right to vote for a substitute as may be designated by the Board of Directors to replace such nominee, or the Board may reduce the number of directors accordingly. The following table sets forth information with respect to each nominee for election as a director and each director whose term of office continues after the 1997 annual meeting. Reference is made to the sections entitled "Common Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners" and "Common Stock Ownership by Directors and Officers" for information concerning stock ownership of the nominees and directors. 2 OTHER NAME AND PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR OCCUPATION AGE SINCE DIRECTORSHIPS - ------------------ --- ----- ------------- Class IV - Nominees for Terms Expiring in 2002 Edward L. Baker 62 1988 Florida Rock Chairman of the Board Industries, Inc. of the Company and of Regency Realty Florida Rock Industries, Corporation Inc. Flowers Industries, Inc. American Heritage Life Investment Corporation Thompson S Baker II 39 1994 Florida Rock Vice President of Industries, Inc. Florida Rock Industries, Inc. Radford D. Lovett 64 1989 Florida Rock Industries, Chairman of the Board of Inc. Commodores Point Terminal First Union Corporation Corp. (Marine Terminal) Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. American Heritage Life Investment Corporation Martin E. Stein, Jr. 45 1992 Regency Realty Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Regency Realty Corporation (a real estate investment trust); President and Chief Executive Officer of The Regency Group, Inc. (a commercial real estate service firm) 3 Directors Continuing in Office After the 1998 Annual Meeting Class I - Term Expiring in 1999 Francis X. Knott 52 1989 Florida Rock Chief Executive Industries, Inc. Officer of Partners Management Company John R. Mabbett III 38 1993 Vice President and Secretary of the Company; President of Florida Rock & Tank Lines, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company James H. Winston 64 1992 Barnett Bank of President of LPMC of Jax, Jacksonville, N.A. Inc. (an investment real Stein Mart, Inc. estate firm); President of Omega Insurance Company Class II - Term Expiring in 2000 Ish Copley 64 1994 President of SunBelt Transport, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company John D. Baker II 49 1988 Florida Rock President and Chief Industries, Inc. Executive Officer Hughes Supply, Inc. of Florida Rock Industries, Inc. Luke E. Fichthorn III 56 1989 Florida Rock Partner in Twain Associates Industries, Inc. (a private investment Bairnco Corporation banking firm); Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Bairnco Corporation (manufacturing) 4 Robert H. Paul III 63 1992 Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Southeast-Atlantic Beverage Corporation (manufacturing and distributing of soft drink products) Class III - Term Expiring in 2001 John E. Anderson 52 1989 Barnett Bank of President and Chief Jacksonville, N.A. Executive Officer of the Company David H. deVilliers, Jr. 46 1993 Vice President of the Company; President of FRP Development Corp., a subsidiary of the Company Albert D. Ernest, Jr. 67 1989 Florida Rock President of Albert Industries, Inc. Ernest Enterprises, Stein Mart, Inc. an investment and Regency Realty consulting firm Corporation Wickes Lumber Company Emerald Funds All of the directors have been employed in their respective positions for the past five years, except John D. Baker II, John R. Mabbett III and Martin E. Stein, Jr. In February, 1996, John D. Baker II was elected to the additional position of Chief Executive Officer of Florida Rock Industries, Inc. John R. Mabbett III joined the Company as Vice President of Florida Rock & Tank Lines, Inc. ("FRTL") a subsidiary, in October 1989, when the Company purchased J. R. Mabbett & Son, Inc. Effective January 1, 1993, he became President of FRTL and, in 5 February 1993, he became Vice President and Secretary of FRP Properties, Inc. Martin E. Stein, Jr., in addition to continuing as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Regency Group, Inc., organized Regency Realty Corporation in 1993 and is its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Edward L. Baker and John D. Baker II are brothers. Thompson S. Baker II is the son of Edward L. Baker. See "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" and "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" for a discussion of other transactions including the relationships between the Company and Florida Rock Industries, Inc. Other Information About the Board and Its Committees Meetings. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 the Company's Board of Directors held five meetings. Directors who are not employees of the Company are paid fees of $583.33 per month and $500 per directors' meeting attended. Additionally, each director who is not an employee of the Company has received options to buy 10,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Such options extend for a period of seven to ten years from the date of grant with an option price equal to 100% of the fair market value of shares of the Company's common stock on the dates of grant, except that options for 10,000 shares were granted to Mr. Knott with an option price equal to 72% of such value. Members of the Company's Audit and Compensation Committees receive $300 and the Chairman of each committee receives $500 for each committee meeting attended. See "Executive Compensation - Option Exercises and Fiscal Year-end Values" for information concerning directors who are executive officers. Executive Committee. Messrs. Edward L. Baker, John D. Baker II and John E. Anderson. To the extent permitted by law, the Executive Committee exercises the powers of the Board between the meetings of the Board of Directors. During fiscal 1997, the Executive Committee held no formal meetings, but acted on various resolutions by unanimous written consents. 6 Audit Committee. Messrs. Ernest, Fichthorn, Knott, Lovett and Winston. The Audit Committee recommends the appointment of independent accountants to audit the Company's consolidated financial statements and to perform professional services related to the audit, meets with the independent accountants and reviews the scope and results of their audit, and reviews the fees charged by the independent auditors. The Committee also reviews the scope and results of internal audits. During fiscal 1997, the Audit Committee held two meetings. Compensation Committee. Messrs. Ernest, Lovett and Paul. The Committee determines the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer and reviews and approves compensation for other executive officers and certain other members of management. In addition, the Committee administers the Company's Stock Option Plans, subject to control of the Board of Directors, and the Management Incentive Compensation program. During fiscal 1997 the Compensation Committee held two meetings. The full Board of Directors acts as the Nomination Committee. During the last fiscal year, each of the directors attended 75% or more of all meetings of the Board and its Committees on which the director served, except for David H. deVilliers, Jr. who attended 60% of such meetings. Executive Compensation The executive officers of the Company, except John E. Anderson, John R. Mabbett III, Ish Copley and David H. deVilliers, Jr., receive their primary compensation from Florida Rock Industries, Inc. which provides administrative and other services to the Company under an agreement. Summary Compensation Table The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and of the three other executives whose salary and bonuses exceeded $100,000 in fiscal 1997 and who served in such capacities. 7 Annual Compensation Long Term All Other Name and Principal Salary Bonus Compensation Compensation Position Year ($)(a) ($)(a) Options (#) ($)(b) - ------------------ ------------- ----- ----------- ------------ John E. Anderson 1997 277,700 75,870 - 4,500 President and 1996 265,850 72,306 - 4,500 Chief Executive 1995 257,500 70,200 25,000 4,500 Officer David H. deVilliers, 1997 161,000 48,900 - 4,500 Jr. 1996 153,750 46,500 - 5,428 President of the 1995 120,933 45,000 15,000 3,965 Company's Northern Real Estate Division John R. Mabbett III 1997 150,250 - - 4,491 Vice President 1996 143,750 - - 4,828 and Secretary 1995 133,523 35,700 15,000 3,902 and President of Florida Rock & Tank Lines, Inc. Ish Copley 1997 121,500 15,925 - 4,500 President of 1996 117,625 35,550 - 4,460 SunBelt Transport 1995 111,250 31,050 25,000 4,051 Inc., the Company's flatbed trucking operation (a) Includes amounts deferred under the Company's Profit Sharing and Deferred Earnings Plan. Bonuses are accrued in the year earned and paid in the following year. (b) Represents the Company's contribution to the Profit Sharing and Deferred Earnings Plan for the named individual. 8 Option Grants In Last Fiscal Year No stock options were granted to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997. Option Exercises and Fiscal Year-end Values The following table shows information with respect to stock options exercised during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 and the number and value of unexercised options held by each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table. Number of Value of Unexercised Unexercised Options In-the-Money Options at September 30, 1997 at September 30, 1997 (1) --------------------- ------------------------- Shares Acquired Value Name on Exercise Realized Exercisaable# Unexercisable# Exercisable$ Unexercisable$ - ------------------- ----------- -------- ------------ -------------- ------------ -------------- John E. Anderson 35,000 417,500 10,000 15,000 165,500 248,250 David H. de- - - 16,900 9,000 327,500 146,250 Villiers, Jr. John R. Mabbett III - - 16,000 9,000 327,500 146,250 Ish Copley - - 16,667 8,333 270,833 135,417 (1) The closing price of the Company's common stock as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market on September 30, 1997 ($34.00) less the exercise price was used in calculating the value of unexercised options. Pension Plan The Company has a Management Security Plan (the "MSP Plan") for certain officers, including directors who are officers, and certain key employees. Benefit levels have been established on the basis of base compensation and job responsibility. The MSP Plan provides that in the event a participant dies prior to his retirement his beneficiary will receive twice the amount of such 9 participant's benefit level in monthly payments for a period of 12 months and thereafter the benefit level in monthly payments for the next 168 months or until such time as such participant would have reached age 65, whichever is later. Upon reaching normal retirement age, a participant is entitled to receive twice the amount of his benefit level in equal monthly payments for 12 months and thereafter until his death, the benefit level in monthly payments. If a participant dies after his retirement, his beneficiary, if any, will receive such participant's benefit for a period of 15 years from the date of the participant's retirement or until the death of the beneficiary, whichever occurs first. The annual retirement benefit levels in effect at September 30, 1997 were: John E. Anderson $133,900 David H. deVilliers, Jr. $ 77,500 John R. Mabbett III $ 72,500 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company's previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that incorporate future filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the following Compensation Committee Report and Shareholder Return Performance shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings. Compensation Committee Report The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors ("the Committee") determines the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and reviews and approves compensation of other officers and members of management reaching a salary level established by the Board. In addition, the Committee administers the Company's stock option plans, subject to control of the Board, and the Management Incentive Compensation program. The full Board must approve the recommendations of the Committee. The Committee's goals are to develop and maintain executive compensation programs that preserve and enhance shareholder value. Under the direction of the Committee, management has developed a compensation structure designed to compensate fairly executives for their performance and contribution to the Company, to attract and 10 retain skilled and experienced personnel, to reward superior performance and to align executive and shareholder long-term interests. Base salary levels for executives are established taking into consideration business conditions, the Company's performance and industry compensation levels. The Chief Executive Officer's salary is based on these factors and his performance in leading the Company and its businesses. Both of the Company's operating groups, Transportation and Real Estate Development, have Management Incentive Compensation ("MIC") plans which provide an opportunity for additional compensation to officers and key employees. The purpose of the plans is to provide a direct financial incentive in the form of an annual cash bonus to participants to achieve their business unit's and the Company's goals and objectives. Potential MIC pools are computed based upon levels of annual income before tax achieved by the respective groups. The maximum amount of MIC in any year is limited to 10% of consolidated income before income taxes. Awards to individuals are based on their achieving annual predetermined objectives and the importance and degree of difficulty in achieving those objectives. Individual awards may not exceed 30% of the participant's base salary. Mr. Anderson participates in a similar MIC Plan whose pool calculation, purpose and annual cash award eligibility for performance against predetermined objectives are comparable to those utilized by the Company's Transportation and Real Estate Development groups. His maximum individual award also may not exceed 30% of base salary. The Committee believes that long-term compensation in the form of stock options is critical in motivating and rewarding the creation of long-term shareholder value by linking the compensation provided to officers and other key management personnel with gains realized by the shareholders. In addition, the vesting periods associated with stock options encourage this key group to continue in the employ of the Company. All options granted to the named officers have been granted at an option price equal to the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. In subjectively determining the number of options to be granted to an individual, including the Chief Executive Officer, the Committee takes into account the individual's relative base salary, scope of responsibility and ability to affect both short and long term profits and add value to the Company. 11 This report is submitted by the members of the Compensation Committee: Radford D. Lovett, Chairman, Albert D. Ernest, Jr. and Robert H. Paul III. Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation Two members of the Compensation Committee, Messrs. Lovett and Ernest, are among the seven directors of the Company who are also directors of Florida Rock Industries, Inc. ("FRI"). The other five directors of both FRI and the Company who are not members of the Compensation Committee are Edward L. Baker, John D. Baker II, Thompson S. Baker II, Luke E. Fichthorn III and Francis X. Knott. The seven directors own approximately 40% of stock of the Company and 30% of the stock of FRI. Accordingly, the Bakers, who own approximately 37% of the stock of the Company and 29% of the stock of FRI, may be considered to be control persons of both the Company and FRI. Messrs. Edward L. Baker, Albert D. Ernest, Jr. and A. R. Carpenter (who are each directors of FRI) are directors and members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Regency Realty Corporation. Mr. Stein, who is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Regency Realty Corporation, is a director of the Company but not a member of its Compensation Committee. There were no other interlocks of executive officers or board members of the Company serving on the compensation or equivalent committee of another entity which has any director or executive officer serving on the Compensation Committee, other committees or Board of Directors of the Company. Shareholder Return Performance The following graph compares the performance of the Company's common stock to that of the Total Return Index for The Nasdaq Stock Market - US Index and The Nasdaq Trucking and Transportation Stock Index for the period commencing September 30, 1992 and ending on 12 September 30, 1997. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on September 30, 1992 in the Company's common stock and in each of the indices and assumes the reinvestment of dividends. Index as of September 30 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 FRPP 100 112 154 183 178 296 Nasdaq - US 100 131 132 182 216 297 Nasdaq - T&T 100 130 131 146 151 214 13 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS Seven of the Company's directors (Edward L. Baker, John D. Baker II, Thompson S. Baker II, Albert D. Ernest, Jr., Luke E. Fichthorn III, Francis X. Knott and Radford D. Lovett) are directors of FRI. Such directors own approximately 30% of the stock of FRI and 40% of the stock of the Company. Accordingly, the Bakers, who own approximately 37% of the stock of the Company and 29% of the stock of FRI, may be considered to be control persons of both the Company and FRI. See "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" for further information on the relationship between the Company and FRI. The Company and FRI routinely are engaged in business together through the hauling by the Company of construction aggregates and other products for FRI and the leasing to FRI of construction aggregates mining and other properties. The Company has numerous aggregates hauling competitors at all terminal and mine sites and the rates charged are, accordingly, established by competitive conditions. Approximately 9% of the Company's revenue was attributed to FRI during fiscal year 1997. On October 9, 1996, a subsidiary of the Company purchased a 134 acre tract of real estate in Edgewood, Maryland, formerly used for mining, from a subsidiary of FRI for $500,000 and the assumption of certain reclamation costs and benefits relating to the site. The Company is developing the tract. An appraisal of the site was obtained and the transaction was approved by the Company's Board of Directors with those directors who are also directors of FRI abstaining. Mr. Fichthorn provided the Company with financial consulting and other services during fiscal 1997 for which he received $30,000. In the opinion of the Company, the terms, conditions, transactions and payments under the agreements with the persons described above were not less favorable to the Company than those which would have been available from unaffiliated persons. 14 COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS The following table and notes set forth the beneficial ownership of common stock of the company by each person known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the common stock of the Company. NAME AND ADDRESS AMOUNT AND NATURE PERCENT OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF CLASS Baker Investments, Ltd. P.O. Box 4667 Jacksonville, FL 32201 1,061,521 (1) 29.8% Quest Advisory Corp. 267,000 (2) 7.5% Quest Management Company 23,600 (2) .7% 1414 Avenue of the Americas ------- ----- New York, NY 10019 290,600 (2) 8.2% Wellington Management Company 75 State Street Boston, MA 02109 347,400 (3) 9.7% First Union Corporation 223,674 (4) 6.3% One First Union Center Charlotte, NC 28288 (1) Baker Investments, Ltd. is a limited partnership in which Edward L. Baker and John D. Baker II are general partners and as such have shared voting and dispositive power over the shares owned by the partnership. Directly as general partners and through trusts which are limited partners, each of Edward L. Baker and John D. Baker II have a pecuniary interest in 353,840 shares. Ownership is reported as of October 31, 1997. (2) Quest Advisory Corp. ("Quest"), Quest Management Company ("QMC") and Charles M. Royce reported that they are members of a group pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 13d-(1)(b)(ii)(H). Mr. Royce, who may be deemed to be a controlling person of Quest and QMC, does not own any shares outside of Quest and QMC and disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Quest and QMC. Quest and QMC are investment advisers. Each has sole voting and dispositive power as to the shares shown. Ownership is reported as of February 3, 1997. 15 (3) Wellington Management Company is an investment advisor. Wellington reports shared voting power as to 163,000 shares and shared dispositive power as to 347,400 shares. Ownership is reported as of September 8, 1997. (4) First Union Corporation is a parent holding company and reports sole voting power as to 223,674 shares, sole dispositive power as to 80,529 shares and shared dispositive power as to 142,645 shares. Ownership is reported as of February 3, 1997. Radford D. Lovett, a director of the Company, is also a director of First Union Corporation. Mr. Lovett disclaims any right to exercise any voting or dispositive powers with respect to these shares. COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS The following table and notes set forth the beneficial ownership of common stock of the Company by each director and by all officers and directors of the Company as a group as of October 30, 1997 and also includes shares held under options which are exercisable within 60 days of December 17, 1997. AMOUNT AND NATURE PERCENT NAME OF DIRECTOR BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF CLASS John E. Anderson 35,806 * Edward L. Baker 1,173,451 (1)(2)(3) 32.9% John D. Baker II 141,858 (1)(2)(4)(5) 4.0% Thompson S. Baker II 25,935 (1) * Ish Copley 25,100 * David H. deVilliers, Jr. 19,750 * Albert D. Ernest, Jr. 10,100 * Luke E. Fichthorn III 18,043 (6) * Francis X. Knott 5,200 * Radford D. Lovett 17,200 * John R. Mabbett III 19,500 * Robert H. Paul III 11,000 * Martin E. Stein, Jr. 52,300 (5) 1.5% James H. Winston 11,000 * All Directors and Officers as a group (16 people) 1,566,243 43.9% *Less than 1% 16 The following table includes shares of the Company held under Florida Rock Industries, Inc.'s Tax Reduction Act Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("TRAESOP") as to which the named director has sole voting power, and shares held under options which are exercisable within 60 days of December 17, 1997: SHARES UNDER TRAESOP SHARES UNDER OPTION John E. Anderson - 15,000 Edward L. Baker 2,542 - John D. Baker II 1,549 - Thompson S. Baker II 7 10,000 Ish Copley - 25,000 David H. deVilliers, Jr. - 19,000 Albert D. Ernest, Jr. - 10,000 Luke E. Fichthorn III - - Francis X. Knott - - Radford D. Lovett - - John R. Mabbett III - 19,000 Robert H. Paul III - 10,000 Martin E. Stein, Jr. - 10,000 James H. Winston - 10,000 All directors and officers as a group 7,078 128,000 (1) Edward L. Baker, John D. Baker II and Thompson S. Baker II may be considered to be control persons of the Company. (2) Shares shown opposite the name of Edward L. Baker include 1,061,521 shares owned by Baker Investments, Ltd. See note (1) on page 15. Such shares are excluded from those shown opposite the names of John D. Baker II. (3) Includes 62,053 shares held by Edward L. Baker as trustee for the children of John D. Baker II, as to which Edward L. Baker has sole dispositive and voting power but disclaims any beneficial interest. Such shares are excluded from those shown opposite the name of John D. Baker II. 17 (4) Includes 700 shares owned by Mrs. John D. Baker II, as to which he disclaims any beneficial interest. (5) Regency Square II, a Florida general partnership, owns 40,300 shares of the Company. Martin E. Stein, Jr., as a partner, holds a 2.5248% interest in the partnership. Trust B under the will of Martin E. Stein, deceased, as a partner, holds a 46.2128% interest in the partnership. John D. Baker II is a co-trustee of the trust of Martin E. Stein, deceased, and as such has a one-third shared voting and dispositive power as to the trust. Martin E. Stein, Jr. has a beneficial interest in the trust and, together with his two brothers, acting jointly as co-trustees, has a one-third shared voting and dispositive power as to the trust. The partnership's shares in the Company are excluded from the total shown for John D. Baker II, who disclaims any pecuniary or beneficial interest in such shares, but are included in the total shown for Mr. Stein, Jr. (6) Includes 100 shares owned by Mrs. Fichthorn and 1,000 shares owned by Mr. Fichthorn's children, as to which he disclaims any beneficial interest. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The Board of Directors has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent certified public accountants to examine the consolidated financial statements of the Company for fiscal 1998. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to be present at the shareholders' meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS Proposals of shareholders intended to be included in the Company's proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the 1999 Annual Meeting must be delivered in writing to the principal executive offices of the Company no later than August 20, 1998. The inclusion of any proposal will be subject to the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. 18 SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's executive officers, directors and beneficial owners of 10% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission, The Nasdaq Stock Market and the Company. Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company and written representations from the Company's executive officers and directors, the Company believes all persons subject to these reporting requirements filed the required reports on a timely basis. COST OF SOLICITATION The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company, including expenses in connection with the preparation and mailing of this proxy statement. The Company will reimburse brokers and nominees their reasonable expenses for sending proxy material to principals and obtaining their proxies. In addition to solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited in person or by telephone or other electronic means by directors, officers and other employees of the Company. OTHER MATTERS The Board of Directors does not know of any other matters to come before the meeting. However, if any other matters come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy or their substitutes will vote said proxy in respect of any such matters in accordance with their best judgment pursuant to the discretionary authority conferred thereby. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS December 17, 1997 John R. Mabbett III Secretary 19 PLEASE RETURN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY, DATED AND SIGNED, IN THE ENCLOSED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE. SHAREHOLDERS MAY RECEIVE WITHOUT CHARGE A COPY OF FRP PROPERTIES, INC.'S ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES BY WRITING TO THE ASSISTANT TREASURER AT POST OFFICE BOX 4667, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32201. 20 FRP PROPERTIES, INC. PROXY SOLICITED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS CALLED FOR FEBRUARY 4, 1998 The undersigned hereby appoints Edward L. Baker and John D. Baker II, or either of them, the attorneys, agents and proxies of the undersigned with full power of substitution to vote all the shares of common stock of FRP Properties, Inc. which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held at the general offices of the Company, 155 East 21st Street, Jacksonville, Florida on February 4, 1998, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and all adjournments thereof, with all the powers the undersigned would possess if then and there personally present. Without limiting the general authorization and power hereby given, the above proxies are directed to vote as instructed on the matters below: 1. Election of four (4) directors / / FOR all nominees listed below / / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY (except as marked to the contrary below) to vote for all nominees listed below Edward L. Baker, Thompson S. Baker, II, Radford D. Lovett and Martin E. Stein, Jr. To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominee's name in the space provided. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. (Continued and to be signed on other side) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to said stock, acknowledges receipt of the Notice and the Proxy Statement for the meeting accompanying this proxy, each dated December __, 1997, and authorizes and confirms all that the said proxies or their substitutes, or any of them, may do by virtue hereof. Dated:____________________________, 199___ ------------------------------------------ Signature ------------------------------------------ Signature, if held jointly IMPORTANT: Please date this proxy and sign exactly as your name or names appear(s) hereon. If the stock is held jointly, signatures should include both names. Personal representatives, trustees, guardians and others signing in a representative capacity should give full title. If you attend the meeting you may, if you wish, withdraw your proxy and vote in person. PLEASE RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE.