(Radio Iowa)- A historic landmark in Spencer that was heavily damaged by flooding in June has a new owner. Andrew Maurer of Spencer has partnered with a non-profit to buy the 104-year-old building, originally known as the Tangney Hotel. “Earl Tangney is my great, great uncle,” Maurer says. “My family was in and out of that hotel for decades, really.” Maurer has experience in remodeling and repairing buildings around the country. Maurer says it would be a shame to demolish the building in downtown Spencer. “Essentially we could tear it down for $1 million and turn it into a parking lot as a town,” Maurer says, “or someone had to step up and take over.”

Maurer says his immediate plan is to stabilize the building. “I’m very happy to help the town of Spencer and I do love the building,” Maurer says. “I believe it can be a huge beacon for Spencer.”

The building had been used by a non-profit called Grand Avenue Community Outreach that provided food, medical care and other social services to residents in the area. In mid-July the group announced the center would permanently close because the cost of repairing the building was more than the organization could take on.