Property that once flourished as the Menninger campus in Topeka has new hope for once again being a landmark of medical care in the community.

The owner of St. Francis Health Center in Topeka announced Thursday that it had agreed to buy 132 acres – now known as River Hill – just north of Wanamaker Road and Sixth Street in Topeka. The property is slated for a St. Francis health park.

“Purchase of the River Hill property is the first step in a lengthy process, and extensive work will be needed to prepare the plan for proposed services at both the new and current locations,” said Mike Schrader, who joined St. Francis as president and chief executive officer last year. “The land on both sites will be developed in collaboration with physicians and the community to address local needs.”

St. Francis, with 378 licensed beds, is at 1700 S.W. Seventh St.