I too drove by this the other day. I remember thinking that it was about time they tore it down as the lower section looked very rotted out, and unsafe. I mean it looked liked it was sinking or something. At least from the road. I thought it was coming down on it's own. I didn't know it had collapsed at the time.
Too bad for the owners. as stated I'll bet it is going to be fun getting it replaced. But I'll bet it is grandfathered in and not too many will opposed its replacement.