“The South Bronx is coming back,” 1981 edition: VIDEO

With big developments in the pipeline and celeb-filled parties, the South Bronx is finally hot.

The New York Times named the South Bronx one of the 52 hottest destinations travelers should plan to visit this year. But for decades, politicians have been promising to fix the South Bronx with fresh waves of development. And during his 1981 campaign, former mayor Ed Koch was no different.

“People think nothing good ever happens in the South Bronx,” Koch says in a 1981 campaign video. “But throughout the South Bronx, new homes are being built.”

After a few scripted-sounding interviews with locals, Koch promises that the “South Bronx is coming back.” Well, he wasn’t wrong.