23. Castleback Circle

The center of the city’s political corruption, Castleback Circle nonetheless presents a stoic face to the citizens of Newcastle. In fact, most residents of the city believe the local government exists to serve them. For the mayor, the public icon of local government, that’s true. Among the hundreds of thousands of local government employees, though — the ones whose appearances aren’t so readily known — unethical practice is almost the order of the day. Castleback Circle stands in contrast to that, though, an attractive complex of government buildings with an impressive marble façade. In the plazas out front, hot dog and gyro vendors ply their trade from carts, activists exercise their right to protest and homeless congregate as a reminder that not everyone in town can claim privilege.

Background

Once Newcastle became Newcastle, outgrowing the community of Drover’s Park, the city established its City Hall in sight of the shores of Black Lake. The City Hall complex closed once due to a freakish, unseasonal flood that damaged some of the basement offices, storerooms and archives, but the city repaired the damage and quickly returned to business as usual.

Alternative Name(s)

City Hall

Type

District

Location under

New Castle