A Miami judge has issued a temporary block on the transfer of a downtown Miami property intended for the future Donald Trump presidential library. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz granted the injunction on Tuesday, as reported by the Associated Press. The injunction will stay in place until a final ruling is made or until Miami Dade College holds a new public meeting about the land transfer.
The case was brought by Miami activist Marvin Dunn, who filed a lawsuit against Miami Dade College earlier this month. Dunn claims that the college violated Florida’s open government laws by not providing enough public notice before approving the transfer of the land to the state.
Judge Ruiz stated that the college “didn’t give the public reasonable notice ahead of the vote,” but clarified that the case is “not rooted in politics.”
The property in question, located at 500-540 Biscayne Boulevard, covers nearly three acres and is valued at about $67 million by the Miami-Dade County property appraiser. It is one of the last undeveloped areas in downtown Miami. Real estate analysts have noted that the site, which is near luxury condominiums, museums, and waterfront parks, could be worth much more if sold on the open market.
On September 23, Miami Dade College’s board of trustees voted during an early morning meeting to transfer the land to a state fund managed by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet. A week later, the governor and cabinet approved transferring the parcel to the foundation responsible for developing Trump’s library. This foundation is led by Eric Trump, Michael Boulos (husband of Tiffany Trump), and presidential attorney James Kiley.
Lawyers for Dunn argued that the agenda for the September 23 meeting did not specify the location or purpose of the transaction. Meanwhile, attorneys for Miami Dade College said that the board complied with legal requirements and warned that any delay in the transfer could cost the college up to $300,000.
Previously, other Florida universities such as Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University were considered for the Trump library site. Earlier this year, state lawmakers passed legislation that protects these types of projects from local government opposition.
