Personally, I would love to have the space to collect this stuff and preserve it rather than have it rot away, but that's only because I'm also a pack rat.
(being a tech person I have to put my two cents in) Also with technology always advancing, you know that soon after you purchase something yourself (like a phone, computer, fax or printer) it becomes obsolete because something newer, better and cheaper has come out. So if all this equipment has been used for awhile and then just left, it's probably because newer, more advanced models have come out and it's cheaper to buy new than to pay to have the old stuff moved or stored.
Motts, I really appreciate the risks you took to obtain this spectacular photo. Seeing a building in this stage of decay from the inside is something rarely seen or photographed.
I couldn't contain myself again longer. I view this website pretty much on a daily basis and haven't been able to gather the courage to make comments, but after viewing this gallery I absolutely have to. This gallery is beautifully captivating and I've thoroughly enjoyed reading all the comments. The pictures capture the history and decay of the place perfectly and I echo the comments of others about the area allowing it the place to rot away.
Here in South Wales in the UK, we have many historic and beautiful places falling into disrepair and it's a crying shame that councils and local authorities plug all their efforts and tax payers money into horrendously ugly (and unnecessary) new buildings rather than maintaining and restoring the fascinating, abandoned buldings that are already here.
The old shot is interesting. If they had doors blocked like that today, they would be cited for blocking egress even if there is another exit in the room.