Trump Presidential Library Miami: Controversial Land Deal

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Miami activist says city officials broke Florida’s open government rules when they handed over a prime piece of downtown real estate to the state. That land now belongs to the foundation planning Donald Trump’s future presidential library.

Prime Downtown Property Sparks Controversy

The property is huge—almost 3 acres—and a developer’s dream. A 2025 Miami-Dade County appraisal values it at more than $67 million. One real estate expert guessed it could sell for hundreds of millions more.

It’s one of the last undeveloped lots on the palm-lined Biscayne Boulevard.

Lawsuit Filed Over Sunshine Law Violation

Marvin Dunn, an activist and local Black history historian, filed a lawsuit Monday in Miami-Dade County court. He’s going after the Board of Trustees for Miami Dade College, which used to own the land.

Dunn claims the board broke Florida’s “Government in the Sunshine” law. He says the board didn’t give enough notice before a special meeting on September 23, when it voted to give up the property. He wants to stop the transfer.

The college didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

Secretive Board Meeting Raises Eyebrows

The agenda for that meeting was vague. It only said the board would think about giving property to a state fund run by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet. But it didn’t say which property or why.

And unlike every other board meeting this year, this 8 a.m. session was not livestreamed.

“No one not already in on the deal would have had any idea from this ‘notice’ of what the District Board of Trustees was actually planning to do,” the lawsuit says.

Just 14 minutes after the meeting started, DeSantis’ press office sent an email. It announced he would propose gifting the land for Trump’s presidential library.

Trump Presidential Library Miami

A week later, the governor and his Cabinet made it official. That meant the property was now under Trump family control. The land went to the foundation planning the library, led by Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump’s husband Michael Boulos, and Trump’s attorney James Kiley.

The land is prime real estate. Glitzy condos surround it. It overlooks a waterfront park. The Miami Heat arena is just across the street. Miami Dade College used it as a staff parking lot.

But back in 2006, the property was considered for a major expansion of the college’s downtown campus, according to a Miami News report.

DeSantis has said the college could benefit from having a presidential library nearby. But the deal doesn’t promise anything to the school.

The only rule is that the property must have “components” of a presidential library or center, and construction must start within five years.

Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Author Profile

Saleem Mubarak: Saleem Mubarak is a journalist and real estate writer who covers Houston’s evolving property market with a sharp eye for local trends and investor dynamics. He focuses on how shifting prices, interest rates, and migration patterns shape the city’s real estate future.

He has interviewed leading real estate professionals to bring readers first-hand insights into Houston’s changing market—from rising investor activity to the influence of social media on property buying.