Announced by President Joe Biden Sept. 28 at the Tempe Center for the Arts, the planned McCain National Library at Arizona State University will honor the life and legacy of Sen. John McCain. The 80,000-sq-ft library and visitor’s center will include ASU-held papers and materials documenting McCain’s work in Arizona, Washington and worldwide. 

University-owned since 1980, the 22.5-acre site in Papago Park near Mill Avenue and Curry Road is home to the community services building. 

The library will be the Arizona home for the Washington, D.C.-based McCain Institute, a nonpartisan university organization. To spur fund-raising by The ASU Foundation, the president announced a federal grant to the state to help design and build the library. He called the plan a fitting tribute to his friend, longtime fellow Congressman and American statesman. 

As the design and construction of the McCain Library proceeds, ASU will identify complementary programs and uses and partners that can be integrated into the site. The general contractor and architect have not been named, and the timeline for planning and development and the construction schedule have not been set.

“Tempe was proud to welcome President Biden to our community, and we look forward to the advent of the McCain National Library,” say Tempe Mayor Corey Woods. “This facility will be an amazing resource for our community.”

“ASU intends to work with others in the community to take this unique property and create something that honors his extraordinary life and legacy and that serves the principles he devoted his life and career to and carries it forward for future generations to learn from.,” adds ASU President Michael Crow. ”