The 21-story concrete skeleton that has loomed over Fort Mill’s skyline for nearly four decades may finally be headed for demolition, according to county officials and residents. The unfinished Heritage Tower, a highly visible relic of the Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker era at the former Heritage USA complex, has been tied up in litigation, half-baked plans and neighborhood frustration for years. Now MorningStar Ministries and York County appear to be closing in on a deal that would clear the site for new development.
Officials Say Removal Is Moving Forward
York County Council member Debi Cloninger told reporters that MorningStar has completed an initial assessment for what is being called a "tower removal project" and that county leaders are working through final steps needed to bring the structure down. As reported by WBTV, Cloninger said the property is being envisioned as a community for people 55 and older, and that MorningStar would pay for demolition and for repairs to nearby Star Light Drive so that taxpayers are not on the hook. She added that the parties expect contracts with the demolition and construction companies to be finalized soon.
Settlement Forced A Timetable
The apparent momentum follows a settlement reached between York County and MorningStar in late 2024 that set firm deadlines for the stalemated project. Under that agreement, the ministry was given time to apply for permits showing the tower could be finished to current building code. If it could not meet that bar, demolition provisions would apply instead. WFAE reported that the deal resolved years of litigation and gave the county authority to remove the structure if MorningStar failed to comply with the timetable. The settlement was widely covered by local outlets and marked the clearest deadline yet for ending the tower saga.
MorningStar's Stance
WBTV reported that it reached out to MorningStar Ministries, and the ministry responded that it did not have details to share at this time. MorningStar has owned much of the former Heritage USA property since the early 2000s and has repeatedly floated redevelopment ideas over the years. Council members say they expect clearer dates and next steps once the remaining contracts are signed.
Local Reaction And The Tower's Origins
Longtime residents often describe the tower as a decaying eyesore and, for some, a painful reminder of the PTL-era scandals that brought down Heritage USA in the 1980s. The Fort Mill Sun has tracked community reaction to the latest moves, including social media posts from residents and officials who have voiced relief that the issue may finally be nearing an end. Historical accounts note that the tower began as part of the Heritage USA resort project and was left unfinished after the mid-1980s collapse of the Bakker ministry.
Permits, Past Denials And Paperwork
County records show a tangle of permit applications and reviews connected to the property over the years. An internal York County plan-review letter tied to an interior demolition project for the tower outlines earlier permit denials and review notes. Those documents help explain why officials and potential developers say that careful coordination will be required before any demolition or new construction begins. If the teardown moves ahead, crews will also have to handle access and road work on Star Light Drive, which county leaders say MorningStar has agreed to fund.
Legal Stakes
The settlement that set the current timetable gives MorningStar a stark choice: prove the tower can be brought up to code or face county-enforced demolition requirements. WFAE noted that the agreement includes provisions allowing the county to act and to seek repayment of costs if the ministry does not meet its obligations. Local leaders point to that legal backstop as the leverage that finally produced real movement.
What To Watch Next
Officials say the coming weeks should bring finalized contracts and a clearer schedule for demolition or redevelopment. After that, the county is expected to release details on timing, traffic control around the site and environmental safeguards. For now, residents and civic leaders are cautiously optimistic that the long-discussed end of the tower’s run is in sight, though many say they will believe it only when they see heavy machinery on the ground. We will update this story as county filings or MorningStar statements provide firm dates or permits.
