A Miami judge has temporarily blocked the transfer of a prime downtown parcel intended for former President Donald Trump’s presidential library. The injunction, issued by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz on Tuesday, halts the deal until further notice or until Miami Dade College holds another publicly announced meeting to reconsider the transaction.
The legal action was prompted by local activist Marvin Dunn, who filed suit against Miami Dade College on October 6. Dunn claimed that the college failed to provide adequate public notice before approving the land transfer last month, in violation of Florida’s open government laws.
Judge Ruiz agreed with Dunn’s argument about insufficient public notification. “The college didn’t give the public reasonable notice ahead of the vote,” Ruiz stated, adding that her decision was “not rooted in politics.”
The property at 500-540 Biscayne Boulevard is nearly three acres and valued at approximately $67 million by county appraisers. It is one of downtown Miami’s few remaining undeveloped sites and is surrounded by high-end condominiums, museums, and waterfront parks. Real estate experts believe its market value could far exceed its current assessment if sold openly.
Miami Dade College’s board approved transferring the land during an early morning session on September 23 to a state-managed fund overseen by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet. One week later, the governor and cabinet agreed to convey it to a foundation tasked with building Trump’s library. The foundation is led by Eric Trump, Michael Boulos—who is married to Tiffany Trump—and attorney James Kiley.
Attorneys representing Dunn argued that details about the property’s location and purpose were omitted from the September 23 agenda. In response, lawyers for Miami Dade College maintained they complied with all legal obligations and warned that postponing the transfer might cost the college up to $300,000.
Previously, other universities such as Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University had been considered as potential sites for Trump’s library. Earlier this year, state legislators passed a law protecting these types of projects from interference by local governments.
