A Miami judge has temporarily blocked the transfer of a prime downtown property intended for the future presidential library of Donald Trump. The decision comes after a lawsuit challenged the process by which Miami Dade College approved the land deal.
On Tuesday, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz issued a temporary injunction, according to the Associated Press. This order will remain until a final ruling is made or until Miami Dade College conducts a new meeting with proper public notice to discuss the land transfer.
The lawsuit was filed by Miami activist Marvin Dunn, who claimed that Miami Dade College violated Florida’s open government laws by not providing adequate public notice before the board approved transferring the property to the state last month.
Ruiz stated that the college “didn’t give the public reasonable notice ahead of the vote,” but clarified that the case was “not rooted in politics.”
The property in question, located at 500-540 Biscayne Boulevard, spans nearly three acres and has been valued at about $67 million by the county property appraiser. It is one of the last undeveloped sites in downtown Miami, surrounded by high-end condominiums, museums, and waterfront parks. Real estate experts suggest its market value could be much higher if sold openly.
On September 23, Miami Dade College’s board of trustees voted in an early morning session to transfer the land to a state fund managed by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet. One week later, the governor and cabinet approved moving the parcel to a foundation responsible for developing Trump’s library. This foundation is led by Eric Trump, Michael Boulos—Tiffany Trump’s husband—and presidential attorney James Kiley.
Attorneys representing Dunn argued that the meeting agenda did not specify details about the location or intent of the transaction. Lawyers for Miami Dade College maintained that legal requirements were met and warned that delaying the transfer could cost the college up to $300,000.
Other institutions such as Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University were also considered as possible sites for the library. Earlier this year, state lawmakers passed legislation designed to protect these types of projects from local government opposition.
