Washington (CNN) -- Julian Castro, the mayor of San Antonio, and Mike Villarreal, the city's representative in the state legislature, saw potential in an historic, amoeba-shaped park parcel near the city's convention center. So, the two set to work. They secured the civic support, government approval and funding needed to turn HemisFair Park into a place where playgrounds and mixed income housing will one day overlook a grassy span and the Tower of the Americas â€” an observation tower marking the park's location as the site of the 1968 World's Fair. As President Barack Obama's choice to become the next housing secretary, a focus on helping revitalize inner-city areas, colleagues in Texas say, will stand the 39-year-old mayor in good stead.
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Julian Castro is a Democratic rising star tapped by president to head HUD
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His appointment could help improve Democratic standing with Latinos, Texas voters
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Castro will face questions about HUD funds, steering it through housing market recovery
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Texas colleagues say Castro has the right blend of experience to get the job done
But now housing can get into the fray and, as @placeholder secretary, Castro is well-poised to do that."