A Miami judge has temporarily blocked the transfer of a downtown land parcel intended for former President Donald Trump’s future presidential library. The decision came after a lawsuit challenged the process by which Miami Dade College approved the transaction.
On Tuesday, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz issued a temporary injunction, according to the Associated Press. The order will remain until either a final ruling is made or Miami Dade College holds another publicly noticed meeting about the land transfer.
The legal challenge was brought by local activist Marvin Dunn, who alleged that Miami Dade College failed to provide sufficient public notice before approving the land deal. 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, located at 500-540 Biscayne Boulevard, covers nearly three acres and has an assessed value of about $67 million. The site is one of the last undeveloped areas in downtown Miami and is near luxury condominiums, museums, and parks. Real estate experts believe its market value could be much higher if sold openly.
Miami Dade College’s board voted on September 23 to convey the parcel to a state fund managed by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet. The following week, state officials approved transferring it to a foundation responsible for developing Trump’s library. The foundation is led by Eric Trump, Michael Boulos—Tiffany Trump’s husband—and attorney James Kiley.
Dunn’s attorneys argued that details about the location and purpose of the transaction were missing from the September 23 meeting agenda. The college maintained it complied with legal requirements and warned that any delay could cost up to $300,000.
Other universities such as Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University had previously been considered as potential sites for the library. Earlier this year, state lawmakers passed legislation shielding these types of projects from local government opposition.
