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December 2, 2009
Tax-exempt bonds rated just above junk, down to $500 million; arena cost confirmed at more than $1 billion
Atlantic Yards Report
In another crucial advance for the Brooklyn arena, the tax-exempt bonds for the planned Barclays Center--the cost of which is now estimated at $1.06 billion--have been rated investment-grade, though just above junk.
It should be enough to get the bonds sold to major institutional investors, though, as the Bond Buyer notes, bond insurance--which reassures investors but makes it more expensive for those paying back the bonds--remains in question. (The Times notes that bonds for the new Yankees and Mets stadiums got the same grade.)
Also, the amount has been reduced from $600-$650 million to $500 million, plus another $146 million in riskier "subordinated bonds," according to a report issued by Moody's Investors Service. (Those bonds are "likely to be sold to one of the project company's sponsors," reports Project Finance magazine, which says the split is indicative of the difficulty in getting an investment-grade rating.)
The Moody's report concerned the proposed issuance of $500 million of PILOT [payments in lieu of taxes] Revenue Bonds, Series 2009 (Barclays Center Project) by the Brooklyn Arena Local Development Corporation. The bonds must be sold by the end of the year to qualify for a tax exemption, which would save the developer well over $100 million.
...Bond primer
Moody's primer: Baa Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics...the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
A key giveaway and a key to the rating
One thing clear from the report: if the state hadn't given away naming rights to developer Forest City Ratner, the arena would not be built.
Also, key to the credit rating is an on-time construction schedule--not the safest bet, given the history of Atlantic Yards.
Posted by eric at December 2, 2009 10:02 AM