Fort Mill Settles Long-Standing Legal Battle Over Heritage Tower Development
Fort Mill, SC – After more than a decade of legal disputes, a resolution has been reached for the unfinished Heritage Tower located at the former PTL site in Fort Mill. On March 11, 2024, York County and MorningStar Fellowship Church announced a settlement to end ongoing litigation in both state and federal courts, paving the way for the redevelopment of the 21-story tower situated at 375 Star Light Drive.
Background of the Dispute
The saga began in 2008 when a development agreement was established between York County and MorningStar for the church to complete the tower. However, tensions escalated when the county claimed that MorningStar violated this agreement by not providing essential details regarding financing and a project timeline. A legal battle ensued, with MorningStar filing a lawsuit against York County in state court in 2013. The county retaliated with a countersuit, further complicating the situation as both parties sought legal clarity.
Key Terms of the Settlement
According to the recently filed settlement agreement, MorningStar is required to submit a building permit application to complete the Heritage Tower within 18 months. However, if the church fails to meet this deadline, it will face the obligation to demolish the tower within nine months following the expiration of the timeline. Further stipulations dictate that if a building permit is not issued within 24 months of the settlement’s effective date, demolition will also be required.
In a statement, MorningStar expressed its enthusiasm over the agreement, describing it as a “historic step forward.” The church emphasized its intention to share more plans and updates regarding the redevelopment with the public soon, though it remains unclear if the focus will still be on transforming the tower into a senior housing community.
Historical Significance of Heritage Tower
The Heritage Tower stands as a relic of a bygone era, originally envisioned as part of the now-defunct Heritage USA, a Christian theme park founded by televangelist Jim Bakker. The park, which sprawled across thousands of acres in Fort Mill, suffered significant setbacks in the late 1980s, especially after Bakker was convicted of fraud in 1989. Since the abrupt halt to construction on the tower, it has remained an unfinished structure at the site, marking a period of both ambition and decline in the community’s history.
Over the years, portions of the former Heritage USA site have been redeveloped into residential areas, such as the Regent Park community. In 2004, MorningStar acquired the 52 acres of the former site for $1.6 million, which included not only the Heritage Tower but also the former Heritage Grand Hotel.
Moving Forward
With the settlement now finalized, both MorningStar Fellowship Church and York County are poised to take the next steps in this redevelopment process. The agreement signifies the end of a protracted legal battle and lays the groundwork for what could be a transformative development for Fort Mill.
As the project progresses, residents and stakeholders in the community are looking forward to more details regarding the future of the Heritage Tower and whether it will indeed serve the intended purpose of supporting senior housing. The outcome of this development will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of Fort Mill’s ongoing transformation and growth.
