Madison Mayor Paul Soglin on Tuesday laid out what he called the toughest capital budget the city has dealt with in the post-World War II era.

And with the city's 2012 operating budget on the horizon, Soglin warned it could get worse.

"It is imperative upon us to reduce borrowing. It's not enough to keep it at the same level as last year," Soglin said.

He said the amount the city owes, combined with shared revenue cuts, makes this the toughest budget the city has seen in nearly 40 years.

Soglin outlined his total capital budget Tuesday afternoon, which totals about $196.5 million. It's $55 million less than the 2011 budget.

Departments requested more than $231 million compared to the $196.5 million the mayor will propose.

Major streets will see the biggest hit -- almost $15 million less than what was requested.

Bike and pedestrian projects will also be cut back, at nearly $6 million.

A unique partnership has created economic development and homes for 50 residents in Madison's Burr Oaks Neighborhood.

The Burr Oaks Senior Apartments were officially opened with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2417 Cypress Way on Thursday.

The facility is part of the on-going economic redevelopment on the city's south side.

The new complex features 50 affordable apartments for seniors, ranging from $500 to $750 a month.

"We are no longer in south Madison going to be victims of history," said alderman Tim Bruer. "We're going to be makers of history. We're going to go out and show the rest of the community the can-do attitude and we are going to do it."

Neighborhood leaders said a project like this has been talked about for the last 15 years. They said they are happy it's finally complete.

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson was back in the Badger State on Thursday making a stop on Madison's south side to help promote the Reach Out and Read mission at the Access Community  Health Center on South Park Street.

Reach Out and Read is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1989 at Boston Medical center.

The program is a partnership with doctors who help encourage families to read tRogether by prescribing books.

Johnson took time to read to kids at the event.