Brooklyn properties maxed out in value. The only thing to do was to sell. An imminent eminent domain was possible. (I know of cases where the State condemned church owned property) And pressure because of the need of more housing in that area, NY harbor houses overlooking Manhattan are very desirable. WT religious order does need to operate from such expensive residential real estate ANYMORE, and that is a lot of cash. Move to warwick to prepare for God's war with the wicked and direct things from there. An expected GT by 2017 (anyone read that hint in a publication?)
But the WT will NEVER loose tax status because they are a religious order and a non prophet organization same as other religions, protected by the constitution same as ss marriages. Religions serve a political purpose but they do not want to learn from history (STOP making trouble) but religions harboring dead Gods will not last for ever. Religion is doomed unless God comes to her rescue. Religion is integrated into the US Constitution but the UN has trained Russian troops to be sent into the US to fight against civilians because ( I have been told ) American troops cannot be unleashed against the American people. WT is not worried in the least about lawsuits (or money), they are veterans, they tried to close WT back circa 1914 and WT foes were defeated and humiliated, WT marched through Court Street for 100 years proclaiming their victory. See how things play out now, but my money is on the WT. In the end they will win. That is how I see the chess board.