Last week, the U.S. District Court Judge Michael Hogan has approved the Distribution Plan filed last month by the federal equity receiver and the chief restructuring officer (CRO) overseeing the reorganization of Sunwest Management (Sunwest,) an Oregon-based senior living provider. Judge Hogan’s decision enables Sunwest to proceed with plans to reorganize by equitably consolidating the claims and distributions related to ownership of hundreds of properties under an umbrella structure. As part of its approval order, the Court deferred the settlement reached by the receiver and CRO with former CEO Jon Harder and other Sunwest insiders to the Chapter 11 case slated to follow approval of the Distribution Plan. The settlement provisions came out of mediation meetings in August and were included in the Distribution Plan. Settlement terms drew heat from various quarters for allowing the insider group a chance to retain an ownership stake in the company once claimants received $500 million in distributions. The court also deferred decisions on certain other plan provisions, including non-commingled property exceptions, third party claims, and the investor bare land election. Objections by secured creditors with regard to the allowance and treatment of their claims will be dealt with in connection with the follow-on reorganization process.
"This plan resolves the separate ownership issues and maximizes the asset values by allowing them to be managed, transferred or sold as a group," said Sunwest’s receiver Michael Grassmueck. "I believe we have created substantial value through the Court’s approval of this Plan. The Plan provides a fair and equitable way to distribute funds to the various people who have lost money in connection with Sunwest."
While in Chapter 11, Sunwest will initiate proceedings to transfer its core senior living assets to a newly-created entity or to a buyer. Sunwest will also employ Chapter 11 provisions to restructure its secured debt on more stable terms. If no sale of the core assets takes place, Sunwest will issue securities for distribution to approved claim holders through the bankruptcy.
Blackstone Real Estate Advisors unveiled plans earlier this month to purchase 148 Sunwest core properties, and the private equity firm continues to perform due diligence as transaction terms are negotiated. The potential sale could occur as part of the Chapter 11 proceeding, with bankruptcy rules governing the sale process and the Court reviewing and deciding upon terms and procedures. Unsold assets would be held by the receiver or other designated entity to be liquidated over time. Proceeds from sales would be distributed to claimants pursuant to the Reorganization Plan.
If Blackstone’s offer to purchase Sunwest’s core properties is approved, the Court would provide for public bids and an auction to ensure the highest value to investors and creditors. Other qualified bidders would have at least six weeks to conduct due diligence and submit bids. Potential buyers would be required to propose similar terms to the Blackstone offer and meet a superior bid threshold.
