York County to ministry: Pick up the pace of tower construction

Renovations proceed on Heritage landmark

FORT MILL -- Plans to renovate the former Heritage USA tower are moving forward, but not as fast as county officials would like.

"It's still dragging out longer than we wanted (it) to," York County Manager Jim Baker said of MorningStar Ministries' efforts to turn the unfinished 21-story hotel into a senior living center.

The tower, the tallest building in York County, was supposed to be torn down last year.

The building was started in the 1980s, and nothing has been done to it since televangelist Jim Bakker left in disgrace in 1988.

The former Heritage property is now Regent Park, mainly a residential area and golf course. MorningStar has been slowly restoring parts of Bakker's former Christian vacation destination, including the Main Street USA and grand ballroom areas.

MorningStar hopes to convert the old hotel into a complex with about 200 apartments, a fitness center and a swimming pool. The project is expected to cost more than $40 million.

The York County Council approved MorningStar's development plans in November, but the county's agreement with the nonprofit organization outlines funding and building timelines for the tower. If those guidelines aren't met, the agreement calls for the tower's demolition.

County officials say they've received regular reports from MorningStar and seen some progress -- most recently the hiring of a contractor -- although they wish more work were done.

But MorningStar leaders say they're doing all they can.

"I don't know how we could have gone any faster," said Rick Joyner, MorningStar's founder and director. "And I think we are still on our timeline. ... We want it up fast. Nobody has more interest in it getting done quick than we do."

MorningStar recently hired Choate Construction to work with an architect, making sure the design stays within budget.

MorningStar Construction Manager Pat Selvey said the ministry hopes to provide blueprints to the county in four or five months.

Joyner said the group also must obtain the proper building permits.

"That's kind of the slow tedious, part of the process," he said. "We would like to be turning hammers now, but this part is important."

The group plans to strip the 309,000 square-foot building back to steel and concrete. Renovations also include adding 20 to 30 thousand square feet.

MorningStar's goal is to have the tower ready for residents in two years.

Joyner, who plans to live in the building once it's ready, said financing for the project is in place and engineering studies have shown the tower is sturdier than previously thought.

That means the cost will be $15 million to 18 million lower than earlier estimates.

"It was super well built and remains in incredibly good shape," he said. "Even though it looks bad."

This story was originally published September 11, 2008 at 12:30 AM with the headline "York County to ministry: Pick up the pace of tower construction."