A Miami judge has issued a temporary injunction halting the transfer of a downtown Miami parcel intended for former President Donald Trump’s presidential library. The order, reported by the Associated Press, was handed down by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz and will remain in effect until either a final verdict is reached or Miami Dade College holds a new, publicly noticed meeting to discuss the transaction.
The case was brought forward by local activist Marvin Dunn, who filed a lawsuit on October 6 against Miami Dade College. Dunn claims the college violated Florida’s open government laws by not providing adequate public notice before approving the land transfer to the state in September.
Judge 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 covers nearly three acres at 500-540 Biscayne Boulevard and is valued at about $67 million, according to the Miami-Dade County property appraiser. It is located in an area surrounded by luxury condominiums, museums, and waterfront parks. Real estate experts have suggested that if sold on the open market, the site could command a much higher price.
On September 23, Miami Dade College’s board of trustees voted during an early morning meeting to convey the land to a state fund overseen 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 group includes Eric Trump, Michael Boulos—who is married to Tiffany Trump—and presidential attorney James Kiley.
Attorneys representing Dunn argued that the agenda for the September 23 meeting did not specify the location or purpose of the land deal. Lawyers for Miami Dade College maintained that all legal procedures were followed and warned that any delay could cost the institution up to $300,000.
The site had previously been considered by other Florida universities such as Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University as a possible location for Trump’s library. Earlier this year, state legislators passed laws aimed at shielding such projects from local government opposition.
