Riverside City Council met January 22. Photo by Sam McIntosh.

The City of Riverside is still searching for proof of ownership of the Riverside Community Building.

The last documentation goes back to 1951 when the former Riverside City Corporation purchased the building at 81 East First Street. The city has had possession of the building for the last few decades and is in the process of selling the building to John Sojka, but cannot finalize the sale until stockholders of the corporation come forward. Sojka told the city council he wants to start renovating, removing the drop ceiling and ceiling above that in the building, but not until it’s legally prudent. Sojka asked if City Attorney Bill Sueppel has published a notice to stockholders yet, to which Mayor Allen Schneider says he will inform Sueppel that the city wants it done urgently. Sojka plans on renting the building to a few tenants for businesses, one of which wants to be in the building March 1. Sojka will have to wait several weeks, as a notice must be published for stockholders to come forward, and if no one does the city will make a petition to the court that they take ownership of the building and then will be given a document proving ownership that must be posted for 30 days before the city can have a public hearing and then sell the building.