On December 18, 2025, a pivotal legal decision in Miami cleared the path for former President Donald Trump’s presidential library to rise in the heart of downtown. Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz dismissed a high-profile lawsuit that had challenged Miami Dade College’s controversial decision to transfer nearly three acres of prime real estate—valued at over $67 million—to Trump’s foundation, ending a two-month injunction and igniting debate across the city’s political and civic landscape.
The saga began in September when Miami Dade College’s Board of Trustees convened a special meeting, swiftly approving the transfer of the Biscayne Boulevard parking lot, a developer's dream parcel adjacent to the historic Freedom Tower and across from the Miami Heat arena. The meeting’s public notice, however, was vague—merely referencing “potential real estate transactions” with no mention of the Trump library or the property’s specifics. This lack of transparency drew swift criticism from open government advocates and Miami’s newly inaugurated mayor, Eileen Higgins, who lambasted the decision to give away such valuable land at no cost, especially as the college faced budget shortfalls. Yet, her hands were tied by a new 2025 state law expressly prohibiting municipal interference in presidential library projects.
Historian and activist Marvin Dunn, a retired professor and chronicler of local Black history, filed suit, alleging the college had violated Florida’s Sunshine Law, which mandates open and clear government proceedings. Judge Ruiz initially agreed with Dunn, imposing an injunction in October that blocked the land transfer and scheduled a trial for August 2026. The case quickly drew state-level attention: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier joined the college’s defense, arguing that the institution had no legal obligation to specify the property in its public notice—a position that, if upheld, could have set a precedent undermining public access to government deliberations statewide.
As the legal wrangling intensified, Miami Dade College’s trustees sought to cure the alleged violation. Earlier this month, they held a second public meeting at the college’s Hialeah campus. This time, the process was markedly different: advanced notice was given, the agenda explicitly referenced the land’s intended use for Trump’s presidential library, and the meeting stretched over four and a half hours. Nearly 80 people gave testimony—some fiercely objecting to the lack of financial compensation, others decrying the symbolism of honoring Trump, whose policies on immigration remain deeply divisive, so close to the former Cuban refugee center.
After hearing from the public, the trustees again unanimously approved the land transfer. The college’s attorney, Jennifer Hernandez, argued that the board had “redone the vote just as plaintiff asked, and has considered this anew, truly deliberated on it and has again conveyed the land to the state.” She emphasized that the second meeting’s detailed notice and robust debate satisfied all open government requirements under Florida law.
On Thursday, Judge Ruiz agreed. In her ruling, she made clear that the court’s role was strictly legal, not political. “Although there’s been a lot of political issues associated with this case, let me make something very, very clear. This is not and has never been and is not today a political decision,” Ruiz stated from the bench, as reported by the Miami Herald and Politico. “The court is not deciding whether this is wise, whether the transaction is appropriate for one president or another, or for a library, or for a petting zoo. That is not what the court is here to decide.”
Ruiz found that the second vote “cured” the notice issues that had prompted her initial injunction. She also praised Dunn for his extraordinary commitment to public transparency, noting his willingness to mortgage his home to pay the $150,000 bond required by the court. “How important a member of this community is when they are willing to put themselves, their money and their home on the line for the greater good,” she said. Dunn, in turn, expressed disappointment but not surprise at the ruling, acknowledging the narrow legal focus of his lawsuit. “One person, one citizen in the right has power, and it may not end in the exact result that you want but we have power as individuals,” he told reporters. “This could have been a done deal down there and one citizen stopped it.”
The legal outcome effectively dissolves the injunction “without prejudice,” meaning Dunn could still pursue further legal action. For now, however, the Trump Library Foundation—led by Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump’s husband Michael Boulos, and the president’s attorney James Kiley—has a clear path forward. Eric Trump has pledged the future library will be “one of the most beautiful buildings ever built” and “an icon on the Miami skyline,” as quoted in the Associated Press. The foundation plans to raise $1 billion over the next three years to fund the high-rise legacy project while Trump remains in office.
The property itself is a remarkable asset. According to a 2025 Miami-Dade County property appraisal, its value exceeds $67 million, but real estate experts speculate it could fetch hundreds of millions in a competitive market. Local zoning would permit a towering condo development, making the college’s decision to transfer the land at no cost all the more contentious among critics. Some see the deal as a missed financial opportunity for Miami Dade College, while others view it as a politically charged tribute that sits awkwardly beside the city’s storied Freedom Tower, a symbol of hope for Cuban refugees.
State officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet, played a decisive role, voting to transfer the land to the Trump Library Foundation after the college’s initial September decision. The new state law, passed earlier this year, effectively shields presidential library projects from local government interference, limiting the power of city officials like Mayor Higgins to intervene.
For open government advocates, the legal battle over Miami Dade College’s land transfer has broader implications. Had Judge Ruiz ruled in favor of the college’s original, opaque September vote, it could have weakened Florida’s longstanding commitment to public transparency. Instead, the case underscores the importance of public notice and participation in government decisions—a principle that, at least for now, remains intact.
As construction plans for the Trump presidential library move forward, Miami finds itself at the intersection of legacy, politics, and civic engagement. Whether the towering new structure will be embraced as an architectural icon or continue to spark controversy remains to be seen. But the story so far is a vivid reminder of the power—and limits—of citizen action in shaping the city’s future.
