Miami-Dade College has completed a renovation of the property, currently dedicated to the building’s 100-year history museum.
Why was Trump on the roof of the White House? See Renovation Plan
President Trump has made a surprising appearance on the roof of the White House. He looked robbed of his new location in the $200 million ballroom.
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed to provide 2.63 acres of Miami-Dade University land to the Presidential Library.
- The proposed site is currently an employee parking lot adjacent to Miami’s Historic Freedom Tower.
- The governor’s office said the library will create opportunities for Florida’s economic development and will become the first presidential library.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
Gov. Ron DeSantis proposes to provide 2.63 acres of Miami-Dade University land to the Presidential Library and Museum.
A statement from the governor’s office, issued Sept. 23, said the land, which is currently a parking lot for employees, “provides additional economic development opportunities in South Florida,” and that the state’s first presidential library is the House.
The site is adjacent to the Landmark Freedom Tower in downtown Miami. Miami-Dade College has completed a renovation of the property dedicated to the museum, which presents the building’s 100-year history.
In the 1960s and 1970s, in addition to being the original home of the now-deprecated Miami News News newspaper, the Office Complex served as a resettlement facility for Cuban refugees.
For this reason, it is called “Eris Island” in Miami.
The statement added that the governor will provide the Presidential Library proposal at a meeting of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund’s Council on September 30.
“President Trump achieved the results of the American people and had a lasting impact on the history of our country,” DeSantis’ prepared statement said. “No state has delivered a presidential agenda better than the free state of Florida. We are honored to house his presidential library in his hometown.”
Here are five things you need to know:
Why not set up Palm Beach County, the Trump Presidential Library?
That also makes a lot of sense. Trump’s home is located in Marlago, Palm Beach, where he has been his legal residence since 2019.
During his first term there was an effort to find the land of Brinie Breeze for the Presidential Library and Museum. Trump was a popular politician across Florida, but he is most closely identified with Palm Beach County.
The county has a series of universities that can accommodate such facilities, including Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach State College, Palm Beach Atlantic University, and Lynn University.
Placement of the library at a Miami location and a museum in Palm Beach County could potentially split the project. That’s why President Gerald Ford decided to maintain and present his legacy.
The library, featuring the 38th President’s documents and papers, is located in the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a museum dedicated to his life, political career and presidency.
Is Miami a suitable place?
Politically speaking, it would be a match. Trump carried Miami-Dade County between 55% and 43% in the 2024 election. He was particularly popular with Cuban-American voters, but also because of his wide Latino population.
The downtown location can also provide stable pedestrians to the Trump Presidential Library. The site is located near the Kaseya Center where the NBA’s Miami Heat team plays. The Science Centre, Museums and Performing Arts Centre are also within walking distance.
The location is close to the terminal of a cruise ship in Miami, and the cruise company can offer an excursion to the library with an event roster for guests on the day of departure.
What is Freedom Tower?
The gorgeous building opened a century ago as home to Miami News. This is the Cox Media Newspaper, part of the media group that once owned the Palm Beach Post. It was also a site for a popular AM radio station.
In the 1960s and 1970s, it was on the southern island of Ellis that worked as the main processing centre for Cuban refugees and exiles upon entry into the United States. As such, the building retains strong emotional and historical ties with many South Florida residents.
As a result, other iconic downtown buildings have been demolished for new construction, but Freedom Tower has undergone various renovations to keep it upright and purposeful. The family of Jorge Mas Canosa, the leader of Cuban exile, was owned until Miami-Dade College bought it.
Traditionally, with a strong minority enrollment population, MDC underwent a completed renovation this summer and transformed the tower into a museum.
What are the other presidential sites in Florida?
DeSantis is right that there is no presidential library in Florida, but it is right that there is a presidential museum.
In Key West, there is the Truman Little White House. This was the building that the country’s 33rd president used as a hideaway for long-term visits and holidays.
Peanut Island, located off the coast of waters off West Palm Beach, is also home to the so-called “Kennedy Bunker.” This is a nuclear bomb shelter built during President John F. Kennedy’s term at the height of the Cold War. It is not open to the public.
Where are the other presidential libraries?
Here’s the list of Presidential libraries:
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Hyde Park, New York.
Harry Truman, Independence, Missouri.
Dwight Eisenhower of Abilene, Kansas.
John F. Kennedy, Boston.
Lyndon Johnson of Austin, Texas.
Richard Nixon, Yoruba Linda, California.
Gerald Ford of Ann Arbor, Michigan and Grand Rapids.
Jimmy Carter, Atlanta.
Ronald Reagan, Simi Valley, California.
George H.W. Bush, College Station, Texas.
Bill Clinton, Little Rock, Arkansas.
George W. Bush, Dallas.
Barack Obama planned for Chicago.
This is a broken news story. For updates, please check www.palmbeachpost.com.
Antonio Fins is the political and business editor for the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Florida Network. You can contact him at afins@pbpost.com. Help us support our journalism. Subscribe today.
