Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Mark R. Santana ruled Friday that the law that created the Tourism and Sports Authority is constitutional, denying the lawsuit brought by West Valley developer John F. Long.
Santana also ruled that Long waited too long to file his claim against the TSA. The suit was filed Sept. 10, more than a year and a half after Proposition 302, the legislation that created the TSA, had been passed.
In his response, Santana discussed the delay in filing the suit, arguing that Long participated in the development of the TSA and remained a supporter throughout the site-selection process.
"After the Long-Avondale site was rejected by the TSA Board, Long took no action for six months, although he remained aware that the stadium process was moving forward and that public funds were being spent," the report stated.
Santana said that the completion of the multi-use facility would likely bring substantial economic benefits to Maricopa County.
In October, Arizona Attorney General Janet Napolitano rejected claims made by Long over the legality of the TSA.
Within the next two weeks, a decision from the Federal Aviation Administration will announce whether the stadium would pose a hazard to operations at nearby Sky Harbor Airport and decide the fate of the proposed Tempe Arizona Cardinals stadium site.
Reach Dana Brody at dana5286@aol.com.
