MADISON, Wis. -- Madison city officials are looking at the possibility of a kind of city takeover of a problem neighborhood.

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Council President Tim Bruer said that for $3 million start-up tax dollars, the city could reap millions more in private investment and revenue and permanently fix what ails the Burr Oaks neighborhood.

Bruer points to successes that have happened with the old drug-infested Broadway-Simpson neighborhood. With the city's help, buildings were razed and condos were built there.

Bruer said he has a similar plan for the Burr Oaks Neighborhood.

Two weeks ago, a woman was stabbed to death in her apartment. It was the fourth homicide in the Burr Oaks Neighborhood in less than two years.

The area which sits between Fish Hatchery and Park Streets has also seen its share of shootings and continued problems with drugs and prostitution.

City officials said the problems stem mostly from a handful of buildings.

Bruer said it's now time for those buildings to come down.

"We should not have to tolerate people coming in to the community, preying on people in terms of illicit activity, drugs or crime," said Bruer.

Bruer, whose district is the south side of Madison, wants the city to raze 11 problem buildings along Badger Road, Cypress and Magnolia streets.

A handful of the buildings have been repeatedly cited by the city for drugs or being a chronic nuisance, but the action isn't enough, Bruer said.

He believes demolition is needed to spur private investment in new home ownership opportunities and up to 100 new apartments for seniors.

"This is an investment that will in essence remove a blighted situation where we've seen the ghettoization of poor people," said Bruer. "We've seen bad buildings that have just bled the neighborhood, bled the taxpayer."

Longtime resident Ruth Ann Bauhs said some neighbors are concerned that Bruer's plan doesn't reduce neighborhood density.

"I'd rather have density of senior citizens than density of drug dealers and prostitutes," said Bauhs.

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said he backs Bruer's plan, but said the city would have to find the money.

"It's only a question of balancing all the needs of the city and trying to figure out what we can afford in any given year," said Cieslewicz. "But it's certainly something we're taking a close look at. I do like the concept and you know I hope that we're going to be able to fund it."