HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — A Florida court on Tuesday blocked the transfer of a property from a Miami college to the state for President Donald Trump’s presidential library, multiple news outlets have reported.
Judge Mavel Ruiz of the 11th Judicial Circuit granted a historian’s request for an injunction against the Miami Dade College’s conveyance of downtown Miami land to the state, The New York Times said.
Florida wanted to give the property to Trump for his presidential library.
Ruiz ruled in favor of Marvin Dunn, who claimed the college’s trustees didn’t provide enough notice to the public about its attempt to transfer the property, according to the newspaper. Florida law requires transparency in public meetings, but the school failed to make residents aware of the potential land conveyance, Dunn reportedly said. The New York Times noted that Miami Dade College only advised the public of discussions on “potential real estate transactions.”
Ruiz acknowledged that while state law doesn’t require a lot of details in public notices, case law points to the need for a “fair and reasonable” notification of matters that could affect residents’ rights, according to the newspaper. The opportunity for residents to appear at meetings and present their views about topics is also necessary, Ruiz reportedly said.
“The court does not believe that the notice was reasonable,” The New York Times quoted the judge as ruling.
Ruiz reportedly advised that work on the property transfer should be paused. Miami Dade College can still convey the land, but trustees need to give the public appropriate notice of their discussion on the matter, according to the newspaper.
“It is understood that the board can provide the reasonable disclosure and convey this property as they see fit,” The New York Times quoted Ruiz as saying. “That’s why this is not a case, at least for this court, rooted in politics.”
The college approved the property transfer last month. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement he led the effort to have the library in the state.
“Having the Trump Presidential Library in Miami will be good for Florida, for the city, and for Miami Dade College,” DeSantis said.
“No state has supported the President’s agenda more than the Free State of Florida, and I was proud to spearhead the successful effort to house this historic presidential library right here in his home state.”
A research firm found earlier this month that most Miami-Dade County residents opposed the college’s land transfer, according to news station WLRN. Nearly three-fourths of participants reportedly said in a poll the school shouldn’t have given the state its land.
Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.