Former PTL tower faces demolition
York County, NC officials say it may be too late to save the former PTL tower at the old Heritage USA in Fort Mill from demolition.
The deadline for tearing down the 21-story concrete high-rise near Regent Park is Wednesday, and its owners, MorningStar Ministries, have not met previous extension deadlines, according to The Herald of Rock Hill.
MorningStar faces several options: fines of up $465 per day, legal action or being forced to destroy the building, which it agreed to do two years ago, Michael Kendree, assistant county attorney, told the newspaper. The county also could tear down the building and charge MorningStar for the costs.
The building, originally planned as a luxury hotel, was part of televangelist Jim Bakker's PTL empire. Construction stopped abruptly in the late 1980s when Bakker's ministries were rocked by several scandals. It was never completed and has sat empty for nearly two decades.
MorningStar bought the building in October 2004. The ministry says it wants to convert the tower into a retirement center.
The York County Council discussed the issue behind closed doors Monday night, saying the zoning plan agreed to by the county and MorningStar is a contract, the newspaper reports.
The county will send MorningStar a violation notice Thursday.
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