Fresenius Kidney Care will build out the inside of a new center in Astoria with kidney dialysis machines arrayed around a central space, similar to a center in Portland.

Construction is set to start in October on Fresenius Kidney Care’s new kidney dialysis center in Astoria, with an expected opening date next fall.

Ownership of the kidney center’s site, in a parking lot just south of the Astoria Riverwalk and former No. 10 Sixth St. commercial waterfront complex, was recently consolidated under No. 10 Medical Ventures, led by local accountant Stephen Allen and developer Chester Trabucco.

The two secured around $3.2 million in funding to construct the 7,100-square-foot building and will rent it to Fresenius, one of the largest kidney dialysis companies in the U.S. Fresenius currently rents space in the Park Medical Building.

The development was approved by the Astoria Planning Commission and the Historic Landmarks Commission, which had jurisdiction because of the proximity to the historic Fisher Bros. Building. The last step for the project moving forward is getting a building permit.

The new center will use board and batten siding, along with beadboard paneling reminiscent of No. 10 Sixth St., Trabucco said. The covered pickup area will include a more metallic look.

Parking for the center will be on Marine Drive.

Chris King, a project manager with Fresenius Medical Care, said the company will install 17 kidney dialysis stations, including one in a separated room for patients with special health concerns.

“We wanted to be in Astoria proper,” King said. “It’s a pretty small market, so other available properties had challenges. This just wound up being a good fit.”

The center will run two to three shifts a day and also cater to tourists in need of dialysis, he said. Fresenius has 40 centers in Oregon. The closest to Astoria is in St. Helens.