City Hall

City Hall is one of the oldest and most iconic buildings in downtown Republic City. The United Republic Council had its offices in the building, but after the function's abolition, they were transformed to house the official seat of the president. In addition, it remains as a venue for important public announcements, events, and gatherings.

History
In 128 AG, Yakone, a prominent Republic City criminal, was once again put on trial, this time for employing the forbidden art of bloodbending on the citizens of Republic City during his criminal pursuits. His hearing was held at City Hall in the presence of the Avatar Aang, Chief Toph Beifong, and the United Republic Council with Sokka upholding the role as chairman. After Yakone was found guilty, he bloodbent all the attendees within the building's meeting room and escaped with ease.

Shortly after arriving in the city, Korra made her maiden appearance to the population at large as the new Avatar and announced her stay in Republic City in front of City Hall. Later, Councilman Tarrlok proposed the creation of a task force in order to fight the Equalists to the Council within the City Hall; the plan was accepted by each Council member except for Tenzin.



In order to subtly coerce Korra to join the task force, Tarrlok held a gala at City Hall in honor of the Avatar, a social event to which all the important public figures of Republic City were invited. Here, Korra was introduced to the Satos and once more to Chief Lin Beifong, who only told her that she did not deserve such a celebration, having done nothing worthy of it. Toward the end of the gala, Tarrlok intentionally exposed Korra to the press who barraged her with questions as to why she refused to join Tarrlok's task force and fight Amon. After a few feeble attempts to keep the reporters at bay, Korra broke under the media assault and announced that she would take her place among the fighters of the force if that was what the city needed her to do.

Upon hearing Amon's warning of shutting down the Pro-bending Arena, the Council members met at City Hall and unanimously decided to heed his threat and close the arena to avoid facing "severe consequences". Not long after, Korra, Mako, and Bolin arrived at City Hall to protest against the Council's decision, along with Lin Beifong who arrived shortly after. With Lin taking full responsibility for the event and promising maximum security, the Council members voted in favor of keeping the arena open.

At a Council meeting, Tarrlok proposed that a new law be created to outlaw membership or association with the Equalists and create a curfew for all nonbenders. Tenzin strongly opposed the proposal, but the other Council members voted in favor, thus creating the law. After Korra's friends were arrested by Tarrlok, she broke into his office at City Hall and confronted him. After a brief conversation, Tarrlok attacked Korra, prompting her to fight back. The conflict destroyed a large part of Tarrlok's office, and the battle continued in the main Council room, which was also heavily damaged. Tarrlok eventually prevailed using bloodbending and kidnapped the Avatar.



The following day, Tarrlok attempted to cover up the evidence of his crime by planting Equalist equipment in the main Council room and claiming that the damage was from an Equalist attack aimed at kidnapping Korra. Later that day, Tenzin, Lin, Mako, Bolin, and Asami arrived at City Hall where they accused Tarrlok of kidnapping Korra. The councilman attempted to dismiss the accusations, however, the council page confirmed that he had bloodbent and kidnapped the Avatar. Before making a quick retreat, the councilman subdued the group using bloodbending.

Before the Equalists began their attack on Republic City, they attempted to abduct each member of the United Republic Council. After Tenzin left Lin on Air Temple Island to watch over his family, he proceeded to head toward City Hall. Once there, he was ambushed on the building's roof by three Equalists posing as window washers, however, the airbender was able to defeat them after a brief confrontation. The council page then told Tenzin that all of the other Council members had been abducted, and that the leadership of Republic City was in his hands. The two observed the city from the roof as enemy airships began invading and bombing the region.

In 171 AG, Avatar Korra and Varrick had a formal meeting with President Raiko in City Hall, where they requested the Republic's intervention in the Water Tribe Civil War by urging the president to send the United Forces to support the South. Raiko asserted that the Republic could not be militarily involved in internal Water Tribe conflict and stressed that he could only help facilitate diplomatic relations between the two tribes.

Layout
Constructed almost entirely out of stone, City Hall is a large and ornately decorated building. Notably, the exterior boasts intricate gold trimmings and an iconic green dome. The building's interior, in comparison, is relatively spacious and filled with extravagant decorations. Multiple beams and pillars are located close to the walls, supporting narrow walkways on the first floor. Leading to the main Council room is a grand hallway. During formal occasions, a ballroom is used as a type of hosting place for formal dress parties, balls, and masquerades.

Offices


There are office spaces incorporated in the building on the fifth floor, and Tarrlok and Tenzin each had their own respective office inside City Hall. Tarrlok's office space contained his personal desk, which was placed in front of a large waterfall, behind which was a large carving of the Moon and Ocean Spirits, Tui and La.

Tenzin's office was slightly smaller than Tarrlok's, but was more densely furnished. Tenzin had his own desk and kept a telephone and a device resembling an armillary sphere on it. Behind his desk was a large, circular bookcase filled with numerous books and scrolls. Tenzin's office was also decorated with a large rug, as well as two yin-yang scrolls and a bagua hanging.

Council room


The Council room is one of the oldest rooms in City Hall and holds many precious memories in Republic City. Inside the room are large doors located behind the Council members' desks which bear the emblem of the United Republic of Nations.

The room was the meeting place for the United Republic Council, where they discussed the government of the city and occasionally held criminal trials. A large U-shaped table is situated in the front, on a slightly raised platform, facing the open space of the room that is packed with wooden benches on which spectators could be seated. There are also numerous balconies overlooking the room from the upper floors, and located on one of the windows is a large, ten-sided insignia.

President's office
The president's office is largely bronze in coloration, with ornate patterns adorning the room and some furniture pieces, such as the president's desk. Large windows and wall fixtures line along one side of the room, while large bookshelves cover another. Red rugs cover specific areas of the floor, which is otherwise tiled. A small conference area is located in the middle of the room, decorated with a silver bust, a small table, two chairs, and a bench for visitors to sit.

Trivia

 * City Hall closely resembles the Reichstag, the meeting place of the German parliament in Berlin.
 * The insignia on one of the building's interior windows is in the same shape as the badge that every member of the Council and the Republic City Chief of Police wears.
 * The interior of the room where the Council met resembles the old meeting hall of the League of Nations which was created in 1919 as an international organization to prevent future world wars.