WTH to do after the fire?

This magnificently restored home looks across the West Drive esplanade to...

...This.

A beautiful autumn day on the West Drive esplanade

I've featured one of these before, but it happens all over: a structure catches on fire and then sits there for years exposed to the elements. WTH? What gives? No insurance? Legal battle? Anyone know the story here?

Despite this eyesore, Woodruff Place remains one of the most regal neighborhoods in the city. I love it and always take out of town visitors over there. Too bad Herron-Morton Place was in such a direct path of the city's expansion. Did you know that Delaware and Alabama had esplanades (just like on New Jersey Street) from 19th to 22nd Streets? Now it's the second speedway of Indianapolis...