pre_text: 34| | duke realty corporation annual report 2009 property investment we evaluate development and acquisition opportunities based upon market outlook , supply and long-term growth potential . our ability to make future property investments is dependent upon our continued access to our longer-term sources of liquidity including the issuances of debt or equity securities as well as generating cash flow by disposing of selected properties . in light of current economic conditions , management continues to evaluate our investment priorities and is focused on accretive growth . we have continued to operate at a substantially reduced level of new development activity , as compared to recent years , and are focused on the core operations of our existing base of properties . recurring expenditures one of our principal uses of our liquidity is to fund the recurring leasing/capital expenditures of our real estate investments . the following is a summary of our recurring capital expenditures for the years ended december 31 , 2009 , 2008 and 2007 , respectively ( in thousands ) : dividends and distributions we are required to meet the distribution requirements of the internal revenue code of 1986 , as amended ( the 201ccode 201d ) , in order to maintain our reit status . because depreciation and impairments are non-cash expenses , cash flow will typically be greater than operating income . we paid dividends per share of $ 0.76 , $ 1.93 and $ 1.91 for the years ended december 31 , 2009 , 2008 and 2007 , respectively . we expect to continue to distribute at least an amount equal to our taxable earnings , to meet the requirements to maintain our reit status , and additional amounts as determined by our board of directors . distributions are declared at the discretion of our board of directors and are subject to actual cash available for distribution , our financial condition , capital requirements and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant . at december 31 , 2009 we had six series of preferred shares outstanding . the annual dividend rates on our preferred shares range between 6.5% ( 6.5 % ) and 8.375% ( 8.375 % ) and are paid in arrears quarterly. .
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table: 2009 2008 2007
table: Recurring tenant improvements $29,321 $36,885 $45,296
table: Recurring leasing costs 40,412 28,205 32,238
table: Building improvements 9,321 9,724 8,402
table: Totals $79,054 $74,814 $85,936
question: Analyse this data from a financial earnings document. what was the percent of the increase in the dividend from 2007 to 2008