It’s history now but as Tucson continues to wrestle with trying to salvage Major League Baseball Spring Training and build other athletic facilities, it’s worth looking back on how local politicians have dealt with special authority in such matters.

Laws allowing for the formation of Tucson’s Rio Nuevo taxing district and what is now Glendale’s University of Phoenix Stadium were passed in 1999. Glendale officials immediately went to work on the Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority, which was officially formed the next year. Rio Nuevo wasn’t legally formed until 2003.

Glendale built its stadium — and has already hosted a Super Bowl. Rio Nuevo remains a dream.

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