Topeka ? State leaders Tuesday approved the sale of more than 150 acres from the former Topeka State Hospital grounds to the Topeka school district.

The price for land and a number of buildings on the property is $2.25 million to be paid over 10 years at 3 percent interest, officials said.

Topeka State Hospital closed in 1997. Since then, the 240-acre parcel of land has been for sale. Some of the land had already been sold to the school district, which developed the Hummer sports park, and 15 acres had been sold to private companies.

The Finance Council, composed of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and legislative leaders, voted 7-2 to approve the sale. House Majority Leader Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell, was one of those who voted against the proposal, saying the 3 percent interest rate sounded like a “sweetheart deal.”

The Finance Council also voted to help pay for repairs to Kansas State University from the June 11 tornado. Officials said insurance and federal assistance would cover most of the damage, but not all. The council pledged to pay from $1.9 million to $2.5 million.