(KNZA)--The former Brown County Jail has a new owner.

The Brown County Commission Monday approved the sale of the building to Orangevale, California resident Michael Wuttke for $10,000.

Commission Chairman Warren Ploeger signed a quit claim deed transferring the property to Wuttke who was the lone bidder during a public auction held Friday.

Wuttke says he plans to turn the jail into a themed hotel where visitors can spend the night in jail, going through the whole process of booking, fingerprinting and dressing in jail jumpsuits.

Wuttke also owns the former Oak Ridge Acres Nursing Home located at 201 Sioux Avenue in Hiawatha, which he says he plans to make into a home for veterans.

The old jail has been vacant since 2010 when the new 41-bed jail, located directly across the street, was opened.  Voters in November 2008 approved a one-half cent countywide retailers sales tax to fund its construction.