State Audit Admonishes Handling of The Regent's Construction

A state auditor general's annual report released Monday says Hillsborough Community College failed to closely monitor the construction of The , the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The audit faults HCC for not sufficiently overseeing its $750,000 contribution to the construction of the controversial Riverview venue, which opened in January 2011 and provides space for events and classrooms. Last year, the college demanded repayment of unspent and misused funds from the nonprofit board that constructed and manages The Regent, according to the Times.

An HCC spokeswoman told the newspaper the college was disappointed by the findings and is already putting more controls in place.

The community center has faced criticism from residents, and , R-Riverview, who say the center, which was funded with more than $6 million in taxpayer money, is being used for private parties and weddings instead of community functions as it was intended.

In response, the board of directors at The Regent have and other programs intended to increase community involvement. Other residents have .