Help Us Save the Tower

MorningStar wants the freedom to finish the Heritage Tower, but York County has stopped every effort. Help us spread the word that York County needs to follow the law and stop blocking the completion of Heritage Tower

Timeline of Efforts to Build the Tower

August 31, 2020

On August 31, 2020 MorningStar and York County enacted a Mutual dismissal to end all lawsuits that lasted 10 years and 6 months and cost York County citizens over $330,198.24

  • MorningStar was finally free to transform the 500-room, 21-story building into over 200 apartment homes.
  • MorningStar got to work right away, selected an underwriting team, received a $75 Million Bond Inducement from the State of South Carolina’s JEDA Board, retained the Bond Consultants in the state, and read through multiple bids from over 60 sub-contractors.
August 31, 2020
June 5, 2021

June 5, 2021 - MorningStar held a Prayer and Dedication Ceremony for the Tower

  • Residents and church members gathered to pray for God’s blessings.
  • Note— local reporters mis-labeled this as a “ground breaking” but it was not one.
  • York County would later accuse MorningStar of holding a “ground breaking” without a permit. But this was a prayer service, and permits are not required for a prayer service. York County officials never called or reached out to MorningStar to clarify or ask questions on their false assumption about our religious observations.
June 5, 2021
August 23, 2021

MorningStar received on August 23, 2021 the Final Proposal from the selected Construction Manager, JE Dunn—over 500 pages of work, research, and scheduling.

  • MorningStar had the funding, the final proposal, and we were within days of submitting a complete action plan for completion for permitting.
  • If York County had not stopped the work, we would have a nearly-completed Tower in 2023
August 23, 2021
August 30, 2021

MorningStar was completely blindsided on August 30, 2021 when York County moved to resurrect its lawsuit with a new case number.

  • No phone call, no email, no questions or offers to help from the government officials.
  • The only communication MorningStar received from York County was notice of being sued again by York County.
  • York County Attorney Michael Kendree did not even notify the York County legal team in charge of the Tower Case
August 30, 2021
September and October 2021

September and October 2021, MorningStar called and reached out multiple times to clear up what we hoped was an error.

September and October 2021
October 28, 2021

October 28, 2021 - York County building and planning managers met with MorningStar, so they could be shown how much work and the detailed plans that were still ready to be executed

  • No response from the County
October 28, 2021
November and December 2021

November and December 2021—MorningStar sent letters, pleading with York County to drop its lawsuit so we could build the Tower.

  • No response from York County—no calls, no emails, no response
November and December 2021
January 19, 2022

January 19, 2022—York County petitioned the Courts to reinstate the costly lawsuit against MorningStar.

  • They never contacted MorningStar, only sent notices to the Court to continue to spend tax-payer money to sue MorningStar in its vendetta to completely halt construction.
January 19, 2022
February 2022

February 2022

  • MorningStar has visited York County Council multiple times to plead with them to stop their litigation
February 2022
February 2023

February 2023

  • MorningStar has visited York County Council multiple times to plead with them to stop their litigation
February 2023
February 2023

February 2023

February 2023
June 2023

June 2023

June 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Does MorningStar want to comply with York County standards?
  • To date, MorningStar has summited plans to York County for all of its building and development and worked closely to complete over 80 substantial building projects valued over $15 Million. Including the restoration of its 500,000 sq ft grand hotel.
  • MorningStar welcomes York County’s involvement, review, and input and has complied with all of its requests.

 

Is the Tower structurally sound?
  • Yes, In 2008, 2014, and again in 2018 the property was certified as structurally sound, pending recommended repairs and updates.
  • Ultimately, only after qualified, certified, York County professionals review and approve certified drawings and work with MorningStar for rebuilding and remediation can this determination be validated.
  • If MorningStar ever received a report that the Tower was unable to be repaired, it would have been irrational to try to restore it . MorningStar has a greater responsibility to the safety of its members than York County.
Does MorningStar have the funds to complete the project?
  • Yes, MorningStar is a publically audited, financially sound entity, sourcing numerous options for funding and received a $75M tax-exempt bond inducement from the State of South Carolinas JEDA program. MorningStar additionally selected Ziegler Financial (one of the largest firms in the US of its type specializing in this project type).
Could MorningStar have done more to remodel Heritage Tower and fix the exterior?
  • Yes, BUT York County did not allow it. MorningStar submitted an official request in August 2017 to York County for cleaning and repairs, which York County denied stating,
  • “No restoration activities are authorized for this building”
  • 2017 York County Response to Demolition Request.pdf
Have there been actual instances of Religious discrimination from York County?
  • Yes, The former Council Chairman Buddy Motz wrote of Morningstar: “I see them as being made in the same mold as the old PTL, and just as scheming. They are only out to fleece the investors of the units and bilk them for every dime they can get.”
  • If this was said of any race or people group, there would be riots and immediate removal of this official, but aimed at us nothing was done.
  • In a recent press release MorningStar was falsely accused of calling the dispute with the County a “holy war”.
  • Both of these discriminations are extremely offensive, and to this date there has never been reprimand of County representatives or an apology issued. So we must conclude this is acceptable behavior for York County officials.
Have there been actual instances of Religious discrimination from York County?
  • Yes, The former Council Chairman Buddy Motz wrote of Morningstar: “I see them as being made in the same mold as the old PTL, and just as scheming. They are only out to fleece the investors of the units and bilk them for every dime they can get.”
  • If this was said of any race or people group, there would be riots and immediate removal of this official, but aimed at us nothing was done.
  • In a recent press release MorningStar was falsely accused of calling the dispute with the County a “holy war”.
  • Both of these discriminations are extremely offensive, and to this date there has never been reprimand of County representatives or an apology issued. So we must conclude this is acceptable behavior for York County officials.
Does MorningStar have background in this type of development?
  • Background & Success in 55+ Housing Beginning in 2010, MorningStar, responding to a pent-up demand for many to become part of the Heritage International Campus, birthed the “Heritage Court Community.
  • MorningStar has completely renovated the 500,000 sq ft Heritage Grand Hotel
  • Heritage Court Community was an immediate success. Presently, there are 164 residents on campus under the various forms of occupancy

 

Was there any construction or funding time-table set out that MorningStar missed?
  • No
Did MorningStar do any unpermitted or unauthorized work?
  • None
Why did the County agree to the historic rebuild then deem the Tower a nuisance one year later? Did something change structurally? Where there incidents?
  • No, York County was in agreement to restore on August 31, 2020 and then re-started a nuisance claim on August 30, 2021 to destroy the Tower.
Did anyone from York County staff contact MorningStar to ask how we were doing or offer any help? Or ask about our plan submission? Or ask for any information, request an update, or ask for a meeting?
  • Not one phone call, email, text message, or letter.
Did York County officials know that once they reengaged a lawsuit whose ultimate end was to destroy the churches beloved Tower, that it would make it impossible for MorningStar to move forward with the project and all of the progress and momentum made in the past year would be wiped out?
  • We have to conclude they did.

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