University of Minnesota students protest UMore Park land sale for new aerospace center in Rosemount

University of Minnesota students are protesting the $8. 1 million sale of UMore Park land to North Wind for the Minnesota Aerospace Complex, which may involve contracts with the Department of Defense. The deal, confirmed at a Board of Regents meeting, has sparked concerns about the potential for missile development. Emil Chu, a U graduate, voiced opposition to the university's involvement in the defense industry. Tensions escalated when four Regents' homes were vandalized, prompting police investigations and condemnation from university officials.

North Wind characterized the project as a landmark initiative to bolster Minnesota's aerospace sector and create jobs. The university plans to partner with the complex, allowing students to engage in research and innovation. UMore Park, originally comprising 8,000 acres, has seen significant sales in recent years, leaving the university with 3,900 acres. Concerns about environmental cleanup from past military use further complicate the land's legacy.