The Miami Dade College Board of Trustees has once again voted unanimously to transfer a prime 2.6-acre downtown Miami property to the State of Florida for the building of Donald J. Trump’s Presidential Library, approving the deal for a second time amid a growing legal and political fight.
The renewed vote, held Tuesday morning at MDC’s Hialeah campus, follows accusations that the board violated Florida’s Sunshine Laws during its first approval in September, when trustees voted with no public notice, debate, or discussion.
This time, nearly 100 residents, activists, and officials filled the room—many cheering the project as a boost to tourism and local prestige, others condemning it as a “giveaway” of valuable public land.
A Second Vote Under the Shadow of a Lawsuit
The redo vote was prompted by a lawsuit from Miami historian and activist Marvin Dunn, who argues the college failed to comply with open-government requirements. Dunn sharply criticized the board, questioning whether the trustees were genuinely listening to public input or merely checking a procedural box to neutralize his legal challenge.
“We don’t want this land to be given away. No president should get this land free,” Dunn told trustees. “If you thought this sham meeting would get rid of my lawsuit, you’re wrong. We’re just getting started.”
Although trustees hosted public comments this time, critics say the meeting still lacked key elements of transparency—there was no livestream, unlike regular MDC board meetings, and some members of the public reported being told they needed prior email approval to speak.
Supporters Say the Library Will Bring Tourism and Jobs
Supporters, including Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia, argued that the Trump Presidential Library would provide a major tourism boost and be an honor for Miami regardless of political affiliation.
“It would be a great tourist attraction,” Garcia said. “Whether you like the President or not, it would be a great honor to have a presidential library here.”
MDC Trustee Marcell Felipe defended the land transfer, claiming Trump’s foundation had considered “dozens of cities” willing not only to donate land but even pay construction costs.
“We’re getting a pretty good deal,” Felipe said.
Criticism: Lack of Transparency and No Benefits for Students
Opponents, including community leaders and Democrats, slammed the deal for its lack of public benefit and the total absence of a community benefits agreement or student-focused commitments.
Miami-Dade Democratic Party Chair Laura Kelley warned that giving away public institutional land to a private political foundation endangers MDC’s neutrality.
“No compelling case has been made that giving up this land serves MDC’s long-term needs or the public good,” Kelley said.
Local business leaders also challenged the economic promises, questioning who would actually receive the jobs created by the project and whether MDC conducted any studies to determine the site’s “highest and best” use.
A $67 Million Property With No Cash Exchange
The 2.6-acre parking lot, located at MDC’s Wolfson Campus on Biscayne Boulevard, is valued at $67 million, though developers say it could be worth significantly more.
Unlike a previous 2016 effort when the college sought $20 million in cash and cultural agreements for developing the same land, the Trump library deal involves no cash payments and no formal commitments to MDC.
Tax records show the foundation plans to spend $3 million in 2025 on architectural and engineering work, but no renderings or site plans were disclosed before the vote.
State Officials Already Approved Transfer to Trump Foundation
Florida’s Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund—controlled by the governor, attorney general, CFO, and agriculture commissioner—has already approved transferring the land to Trump’s foundation at no cost, pending the college’s deed transfer.
Their only condition:
Construction must begin within five years.
MDC Board Chairman Michael Bileca insisted Tuesday that the college will remain involved and hopes to secure a “revenue share” from any profit-generating components.
Legal Battle Continues
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz halted MDC from transferring the land during ongoing litigation, but indicated that a properly publicized vote—like Tuesday’s meeting—could allow the college to move forward.
Dunn’s attorney, Richard Brodsky, vowed to continue fighting:
“We’ll conduct discovery, depositions, document requests and get to the bottom of what happened here.”
