Florida Officials Allocate $66 Million Miami Site for Trump Library

Florida officials have designated nearly three acres of prime real estate in downtown Miami as a potential site for the future presidential library of former President Donald Trump. On October 3, 2023, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet voted to transfer the property, appraised at over $66 million, to the foundation responsible for planning Trump’s post-administration archives.

The site, located adjacent to the historic Freedom Tower, is expected to enhance public benefits and stimulate economic development activities in the area, according to state officials. The property is currently owned by Miami-Dade College, which has utilized the location as an employee parking lot.

This decision reflects the loyalty of prominent Florida Republicans to Trump, who has increasingly focused his political efforts in the state. The property is situated near upscale condominiums along the iconic Biscayne Boulevard, overlooking a waterfront park and located across from the arena where the Miami Heat basketball team plays.

According to Florida’s constitution, the transfer of specific state properties requires approval from a collective decision-making body that includes the attorney general, the chief financial officer, and the commissioner of agriculture, along with the governor. The recent vote grants the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation, Inc. control over a highly coveted development site.

The foundation is overseen by three trustees: Eric Trump, Michael Boulos (husband of Tiffany Trump), and attorney James Kiley. In a social media post, Eric Trump expressed confidence in the project’s success, stating, “It will be the greatest Presidential Library ever built, honoring the greatest President.”

The selected site is also notable for its proximity to Freedom Tower, a historic Spanish Revival building that previously served as one of Miami’s first newspapers. It later became a resource center for many Cubans fleeing communism, marking the tower as a pivotal landmark in the city’s immigrant history. Currently operated as a museum by Miami-Dade College, the tower encapsulates the vibrant cultural heritage of the area.

The landmark has recently been the focal point for protests against Trump’s immigration policies. While Cuban Americans, a significant political demographic in Miami, have largely supported Trump, his administration’s mass deportation agenda is increasingly regarded as a betrayal by some, leading to a reevaluation of their political alignment.

Prior to this decision, locations associated with Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and Florida International University in suburban Miami were considered as potential sites for the library. In a legislative move earlier this year, DeSantis signed a bill aimed at preventing local governments from obstructing the development of presidential libraries, thereby anticipating potential opposition in more liberal-leaning areas.

As the plan for Trump’s presidential library unfolds, the implications for local economic growth and political dynamics in Miami remain to be seen. The commitment by state officials underscores the ongoing influence of Trump within Florida’s political landscape as he continues to shape his legacy.