A Florida judge has temporarily halted the transfer of a $67 million parcel of land from Miami Dade College to the state for the purpose of establishing a presidential library for Donald Trump. The decision came after a lawsuit argued that the college's board of trustees violated Florida's Sunshine Law by failing to provide adequate notice of the meeting where the transfer was approved.
The land, a 2.6-acre parking lot owned by the public college, was to be transferred to the state, which would then convey it to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation. The judge acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but stated it was not rooted in politics.
The lawsuit was filed by Marvin Dunn, a local historian and activist, who claimed the board's September 23 meeting lacked reasonable notice and was not livestreamed, contrary to usual practice. The agenda had only vaguely mentioned 'potential real estate transactions,' which Dunn's attorney called inadequate for such a significant decision.
Lawyers for the college argued that the board complied with the law, noting that the request from the governor's office was received on September 16 and a notice was promptly posted. They also argued that the land had no immediate use beyond being a parking lot and that delays could cost the college up to $300,000.
Governor Ron DeSantis had praised the decision to host the Trump library in Miami, calling it beneficial for the state and the college. Eric Trump, the president's son, also celebrated the move, describing the planned building as an iconic addition to the Miami skyline.
