The sale of Albany Public Library's main branch to Silver Falls Dermatology for $1.6 million is expected to be completed by late December.

"We are in the process of getting all of the financing together," said Joe Vanderbrook, the manager of the practice. He also is the stepfather of Dr. John Young, who owns the business and will work at the new facility.

Vanderbrook said a private investor from the Albany area, whose name he wanted to remain private, is making the purchase possible. Details still to be worked out include what percentage of the 32-year-old building the investor will own.

Financing will be through Willamette Community Bank, and payments will be spread out over 15 years.

Once the clinic takes control of the building, "we expect to turn around and do a short-term rental to the city until the library can move to its new location. The library wants to be out in January, but if that doesn't happen we can lease the building until the end of March if necessary."

Young is opening a practice in Albany because there is a need for dermatology services, Vanderbrook said. The doctor lives in south Salem and it will be easy for him to get to his new office in a short period of time, he said.

It took about six months of looking around Albany before deciding on the library, Vanderbrook said. At first, the plan was to open an office using a lease/purchase agreement but there was a limited amount of "good" office space available, he said.

"As soon I walked into the library, I knew we were going to buy it," Vanderbrook said.

Vanderbrook liked the location, the corner exposure on the street, and it is near Heritage Mall and other medical offices.

Silver Falls Dermatology will occupy between 3,000 and 5,000 square feet of the 18,300-square-foot building at 1390 Waverly Drive S.E.

The rest will be leased to other doctors, except for possibly a small area that could become a coffee and sandwich shop.

Once purchased, one of the first steps will be to section off the interior of the building and create exam rooms. "The plan is to have one large, central waiting area for all of the doctors' patients.

Vanderbrook expects the initial renovation cost to be about $300,000.

Silver Falls Dermatology currently has offices in Salem and Silverton.