Heritage Tower owners pushing county for development approval

FORT MILL, S.C.,None — An ultimatum has been handed down to York County by the owners of an eyesore in Fort Mill.

Morning Star Ministries is threatening to sue York County if the county does not agree to a new plan to fix up the old Heritage Tower.

The owners of the Heritage Tower said the building is structurally safe despite its outward appearance, and they said they are prepared to move forward with renovations.

Morning Star Ministries bought the tower with plans to turn it into a retirement community, but the economic downturn hurt fundraising for the $35-million project.

Pastor Rick Joyner said they also lost investors after the county released what he calls a false report about the church being in default on its contract.

The church has been in mediation with the county, and Thursday, church officials said those talks have gone well.

“There seems to be something different. We’ve lost a lot of trust in the county through this process. We’re going in looking for the best,” Joyner said.

Monday night, the church will present its new construction plan to county leaders. If it’s approved, the church could start construction in about a year.

If not, church officials said they have a lawsuit ready to be filed.

WSOC