Miami-Dade commissioners voted Monday to rename the new civil and probate courthouse “Miami-Dade Justice Center” and to authorize actions toward a potential sale or property exchange of the existing historic courthouse at 73 West Flagler Street.

The board suspended the usual public-hearing requirement to approve the new facility name; commissioners and the court had requested the change so that signage and the contractor’s work could proceed without delaying the building’s certificate of occupancy. Commissioner Higgins, who led the courthouse items, said that failing to approve the name before the contractor fabricated signage could risk daily holdbacks estimated by staff if the building opening were delayed.

Separately, the commission authorized the district commissioner to negotiate with the sole bidder that responded to the county’s marketing of the historic courthouse. Because the proposal included both cash and a land parcel as considerations, the board directed the county to perform an appraisal, title work and due diligence on the bidder’s offered property at 54 West Flagler Street and to negotiate terms consistent with Implementing Order 8-4 and county code. The motion allowed the district commissioner to pursue negotiations and return to the board with a proposed exchange or sale to ensure the county receives fair market value.

Commissioners said the moves are intended to monetize county property and help offset operating or capital costs related to the new courthouse project; staff confirmed the sale process has produced a single responsive bidder and that appraisal and due diligence steps are needed before the board considers final approval.