The WTS has a long history of animosity with their Brooklyn Heights neighbors. The WTS has a history of tearing down historic buildings. Have you ever wondered about the brownstone fronts on 117 (?) and the building next to it. The WTS was forced to retain the look rather than put in the modern building they planned on. If you have visited Brooklyn Bethel, you might notice one building is modern. Boy, did that burn up the neighbors and it prompted a closer eye legally on the WTS.
Do not kid yourself about Brooklyn Heights being safer because of the WTS. A police officer told me that the criminals follow the money and Brooklyn Heights is a wealthy neighborhood.
The WTS has all the tunnels to keep the Bethelites off the sidewalks as much as possible (which also irritates the neighbors). The WTS finally built indoor basketball courts for the young male Bethelites because they were hogging all the court time on the local outdoor courts. When you visit Bethel, your host will remind you not to walk 3 or 4 abreast down the sidewalk and mow down the neighbors.
Here's the architectural firm's site. They did redo Grand Central so they have the experience to retain a buildng's historic character.
http://www.beyerblinderbelle.com/projects.html