where the u.n. plaza has turned out to be a place where open air drug dealing, vending and also drug use. thank you. the u.n. plaza is surrounded by various neighborhoods. and people who work around, surrounding areas, use u.n. plaza not only to be here but to get public transportation and also to go from one place to another. i in all of my years of working in tenderloin and advocating for open space, i know one thing for sure. that is a open space has to be a defined open space if not it wouldn't be a positive one. and i have to say, you guys have seen it for years, for almost a couple of years now, the dog park which is right around the corner and it was an open space but once it became a dog park, there are a lot of dogs that go there. so when it's designated it's safer and much easy to use. i have to say, thank you, phil, for implementing this designated use of u.n. plaza and i'm looking forward to have this positive not just for this place but also for surrounding neighborhoods. thank you. [applause

the all-new changes at u.n. plaza bringing shoppers back and the steps police are taking to keep visitors safe. >>> good morning and thanks for joining us. i'm laura garcia. >> i'm marcus washington. san francisco wants you to bring your family to united nations plaza and are making sure you're safe enough to do it. >> kris sanchez is moving us forward with a look at the changes they've made. >> for years u.n. plaza was a place we kind of rushed by with people using drugs or using the street as a bathroom. right now, the reopening ceremony is scheduled to begin any moment now. the plaza will now have a skate park, a climbing wall, exercise class, chess lessons, other community events. this is a $1.8 million improvement that's part of a pilot program that could expand to other parts of the city depending on what happens over the next 6 to 24 months of that pilot. so, that's happening today. but tomorrow, a mile away, union square tree will be lit. there's no official ceremony, but we know this is a family favorite, not

we are also tracking other stories on this wednesday, including a new look for san francisco's u.n. plaza. from an open air drug market to fitness classes and cornhole. the reason the changes come at an important time for the city. >>> also, paying to use the highway. no, we are not talking about just the express lanes. we are talking about any lane. the proposal for all bay area highways being considered tonight. >>> and we are less than 30 minutes away from the next republican presidential debate which is airing right here on february nbc bay area. our political analyst joins us with what's on the line tonight for the candidates vying to beat former president trump. >>> but let's begin with that 7-eleven store that went up in flames this afternoon. as the building still smolders at this hour, firefighters know where the fire started. the question is, who started it it? nbc bay area's mayor and favreau with the latest. >> reporter: i want to show you how extensive the damage is here to this 7-eleven. you can see that firefighters are still out here dousing from the ladder truck, making s

that was the first grind completed at the new skate park in u.n. plaza, just in time for apec, the plaza opened today, after two months of construction. it was home to an open-air drug market. the city hopes it will help keep illicit activities away while attracting families. local skaters are literally on board. >> more opportunities for people to choose skating overdoing other things. like drugs or whatever it is. i think that will really benefit the community. >> besides the skate park, there are tables for chess, ping-pong, and foosball, along with a workout area. >>> and there's more information on a website to help you navigate apec. there's an interactive map of all the street closures and links to all specifics on traffic and transit disruptions on kpix.com. >>> let's get to some other stories we are following around the bay. cruise managed to knock down a fire burning at 7-eleven on east 14th street this afternoon. in fact, you can see the roof collapsed, forcing firefighters to pull out of the building. and fight it from their ladder trucks. in

. >> reporter: i'm here at the u.n. plaza center and it looks different than usual, all part of efforts to clean the city ahead of apec, but is this permanent or temporary? that's the question. san francisco's getting a makeover and rene coronado is all smiles about it. >> i have seen increased cleanliness, patrols and everything. i welcome in. i'm excited for apec and i'm excited to have that once in a lifetime event come to our city. >> reporter: especially because he's the head behind the tenderloin merchant, an organization already working on trying to change the image of this part of the city of located very close to the moscone center. >> an event like apec is not only going to benefit the conference itself, we'll get a lot of trickle down to the rest of san francisco, including the tenderloin. >> reporter: while we were chatting on larkin street, we saw an entire operation, street sweeping, cops everywhere, and even some of them clearing encampments, but other places that also used to scream watch your step are now loo

the new u.n. plazaludes a skate park and outdoor fitness center with chess, ping-pong tables and a rock climbing wall. this is all a pilot program which could be part after bigger solution at city combats drug addiction and crime. a reopening ceremony is set for wednesday morning. >>> a live look over oakland. rain maybe on the road. but i don't see it on the lens there. i don't know, rob, what's going on out there? what's going on around here? >> they had some light rain pass by a little earlier. >> oakland zoo is going to be closed because of that rain. >>> they're anticipating something. if you have reservations, they'll send an e-mail about a refund for that reservation. >> wet roadways, we've been seeing that tonight, especially around the tri valley where we had a few spinouts. and right now, san francisco, still a bit of light rain. 60 degrees. and we're going to get a taste of weather whiplash . we have semi-tropical weather outside. livermore, 62 degrees. there you see some of the rain along 58

the u.n. plaza was dramatically transformed for the summit. the space has been a symbol for the city's struggles in recent years. san franciscans get back to business as usual, one neighborhood hopes the measures implemented during apec will have a lasting impact . john ramos has that story. >> reporter: for many this block and san francisco's tenderloin is considered an oasis of peace in an area known for chaos. but as we approach thanksgiving, there are lessons for both the meek and the powerful. too many the tenderloin district is a symbol of san francisco at its most hopeless, but for one week the city proved it does not have to be that way. with the world watching, 300 shelter beds were suddenly open and the streets became clean again. >> we saw cleanliness and we saw safety. improve. >> reporter: does it feel like something that is doable every day? >> yes . it has to be. it is critical for us to continue to keep children safe and also our guests safe. >> reporter: brian young is interim ceo of saint anthony's foundation, which serves th

in 10 steps, you can be shouted at and in the next 10 steps, you see a revitalization of u.n. plaza reporter: even after that, jason says, he is optimistic. that the city and bart are on the right track. >> i want bart to succeed. i am a cheerleader for that experience. do i always have a positive experience? no. but i have a positive experience most of the time and that is why i continue to commute to that way. >> reporter: clearly the little boy who was obsessed with trains , now & is not the end of the line. >>> earlier this morning bart's general manager and police chief are holding a listening tour to hear about your experiences on bart. it got underway at the fruitvale station in oakland where they spoke to riders about service, cleanliness, and safety . >> all the decisions we have made over the last 15 or 18 months are starting to intersect. the new fare gates come online. we just think, i just think, that the rider experience is vastly improved and i want to make sure that is what folks are seeing. >> the first of the new fare gates will be installed in west oakland by year

and all this company travels down to the u.n. plaza. >> one thing before he leaves the cathedral is he will do the prayer of investiture of the scapular which has specific spiritual value. extending the mantle of the blessed mother's protection over every person. we distribute scapular's and they will be blessed by the archbishop and everyone will be invested and that is a gift from the church to the people of god. >> i must say from looking from the outside at a procession, it is touching to see people coming out as a group and displaying their faith and in such a gentle and peaceful way. ray , the focus of this is always peaceful and always gentle and always nurturing. and my wrong? >> the rosary , we look upon it as a solution to all our ills. you may say he could be a medicine for the soul. we know the holy eucharist has primary place in our faith that the rosary has been given to us like an extra added thing that all of us can pray at any time, day or night while we are working. or playing. riding in our car and running that marat

notably in u.n. plaza. in recent year the space has been a postcard for the city struggles. look at it now. pretty amazing. our wilson walker heard from folks who hope these changes are here to stay. >> normally in this location you will see people doing their drugs or they will be selling things they stole from like the businesses around here. but because we have apec happening, they have park rangers here and they put a person who usually there is never that person here >> she lives just around the corner from united nation's plaza. having moved in during the height of the pandemic, yes, she has seen this space through very hard times. her thoughts on the new look? >> i am glad to see the things that they did add here are made out of stone so i don't wake up the next morning and it is gone and someone took it. >> reporter: it is hard to look around and not worry that the current arrangement will be fleeting. for years now, the grand civic space has been at the center of the city's largest struggles. it is the market of lethal drugs and stolen goods and an effort at a recov

and none more so than u.n. plaza. the space has been a postcard for the city's struggle in recent years. we heard from locals who hope the changes will stay. >>> normally in this location you will see people doing their drugs or they will be selling things they stole from like the businesses around here. but, because we have apec happening we have park rangers here and they put in a person here >> moving in during the height of the pandemic, yes, she has seen this space through very hard times, her thoughts on the new look? >> i am glad to see that the things that they did add here are made of stone so that i don't wake up the next morning and it is all gone or someone took it. >> it is hard to look around and not worry that the current arrangement will be fleeting. for years now the grand civic space has been at the center of the city's largest struggles the market for lethal drugs, stolen goods, a site at a recovery center and unsafe use site and through all of that there has been a great deal of chaos and disorder.

. >>> this morning is the grand reopening of san francisco's u.n. plaza. renovations at the plaza have been completed. there is a newly installed skate park, fitness area, chess, game tables and more. the changes were made to draw in more visitors and make the area safer. later this morning, mayor london breed will join city officials to celebrate the reopening. >>> today marks five years since california's deadliest and most destructive wildfire. the camp fire ripped through the town of paradise in butte county, killing 85 people in 2018. fire destroyed 18,000 buildings and more than 14,000 homes. rebuilding process includes more than 3000 homes, several schools, and miles of paved roads. >>> it was a little breezy this morning throughout the bay area with offshore winds still the trend into this afternoon. we will see dry skies today and tomorrow and heading throughout the rest of the week in the next chance of showers returns early next week, as early as monday and tuesday. we will keep an eye on the cold front . we have a cold front moving its way in t

places use to scream, watch your step, are looking spotless with first enjoying themselves like the u.n. plaza with its new skateboard park and outdoor caf÷ with ping-pong tables, chess boards, and potted plants . that is where we met josh robertson. he says he is not buying the hype . >> i don't understand why it took so long. it is almost like it is a facelift, you know. it does not stay, you know. a temporary fix. >> reporter: he says he has been living on the streets out here for more than three years and this is not what it looks like daily. >> it is usually full of drug addicts. people selling goods , stolen goods. i mean, it is just a normal marketplace. people say selling whatever, you know. they made such a big deal about it in the last two weeks. it looks different down here. a whole different -- it is nice, i like it. but it will not stay like this. >> reporter: but the show must go on. with employees, park rangers and they make sure the area stays like this for locals like us, and visitors like this couple. but the question is, will it stay like this after apec ? >> it is fake. it

the disabled, the the poor, they lip service but they don't deliver and one example would be the u.n. plaza which i think was a disgrace. but this is an agrecious example and i urge you to support the ordinance. >> thank you for your comments. next speaker, please. good afternoon, supervisor. i just wanted to say i support the ordinance introduced by safai and peskin. people of all ages and physical ability to come enjoy that access. when i walk my dog down that way, i always see that people are congregated in that area, much more than any other part of the marina green. i think it's very important to the city. >> thank you for your comments. next speaker. >> speaker: good afternoon, i'm jake, and first i want to say i'm impressed how quickly the city cleaned for the apac. i want to welcome back the supervisors that visited japan, only to find out what we've been saying, education is best when not ran by racist. now since supervisor are taking trips at taxpayers expense, i want you to visit to el salvador and see the drug dealers that went to poison the population. there is something i want

u.n. plaza was dramatically transformed for the summit. the space has been a symbol for the city's struggle in recent years. while san franciscans get back to business as usual, one neighborhood hopes the measures implemented during apec will have a lasting impact john ramos has that story. >> reporter: for many this block in san francisco's tenderloin is considered an oasis of peace in an area known for chaos. as we approach thanksgiving, there are lessons here for both the meek and the powerful. to many the tender loin district is a symbol of san francisco at its most hopeless, but for one week the city proved that it doesn't have to be that way with the world watching 300 shelter beds were suddenly open and the streets became clean again. >> we saw cleanliness and we saw safety improve. >> reporter: does it feel like something that's doable every day then? >> yes, yes, it has to be. it's critical for us to continue to keep children safe and also our guests safe. >> reporter: brian young is interim ceo of saint anthony's foundation, whic

u.n. plaza, once known as an open air drug market, is also reopening, re-imagined as a place for families. there is a ceremony happening today to celebrate the new skate park and outdoor fitness center, complete with chess, pink pong tables, and a rock climbing wall. this is part of a pilot program which could be part of a bigger solution as the city looks to combat drug addiction and crime by creating better, safer spaces for people. two empty spaces at union square getting new life, and hopefully a taste of what's to come. the city helped renowned chef tyler florence open two cafes, one on the stockton side of the union square, the other on the powell street side. but no amount of pastries or family activities and fun will be enough to draw people to the city if they don't feel safe while they're there. and for that, mayor london breed and san francisco police chief bill scott have a plan, what they're calling the city's safe shopping initiative. >> as we go into this holiday season, you will

meanwhile back at u.n. plaza, the city is hoping the new plan nails the landing. >> tara campbell, abc seven news. >> all right. it's time to move on to our weather. >> indeed, it's another glorious day out there. meteorologist sandhya patel is here. sandy, are you still tracking rain? maybe >> yeah, next week is looking pretty wet. dan and ama, right now, though, i want to show you what it looked like today. it was warmer. we had plenty of blue skies and look at the temperatures upper 60s to low 70s around the region, 2 to 5 degrees above average got up to 72 in concord, san jose, it was a mild one in santa rosa, 71 degrees. same thing for oakland and 68 in san francisco and half moon bay. well, things are changing. here's a look at live doppler seven. this this is the system that is initially going to go into the pacific northwest. but the back end of this, the tail end of it will come through here friday, bringing us the opportunity for a couple of showers is not looking widespread right now from our san jose

scream "watch your step" are now looking spotless with folks actually enjoying themselves like the u.n. plazath its new skateboard park and outdoor cafe with ping-pong tables, chess boards and potted plants. that where we met josh robertson. he says he's not buying the hype. >> i don't understand why it took so long to -- i mean, it's almost like it's like a -- facelift you know? it's like -- it doesn't stay, you know? it's a temporary fix i think. you know what i mean? >> reporter: he tells me he's been living on the streets out here for more than three years and this is not what it looks like daily. >> usually full of drug addicts. people selling goods and stolen goods. i mean, i mean, just -- it's just the normal marketplace. you know what i mean? people selling whatever, you know? and they've -- made such a big deal about it in the past where weeks is it's like -- it's totally looking different down here a whole different -- it's nice, i like it, but it's not going to stay like this. >> reporter: but the show must go on. with a few san francisco public works employees, park rangers and po

u.n. plaza in san francisco being unveiled today. the city hoping these upgrades can make it more family friendly and cut down on drugs and crime in the area. >> then we're less than a week from apec and we now have a better idea of the security that will be in place. the areas of the city that you might want to avoid. and a big night for democrats at national elections. >> the one issue that may have made a big difference at the polls. >> good morning. it is wednesday, november 8th. >> yes, i'm going to start the check of our forecast with drew. >> yeah, good morning. >> so it is chilly out there this morning, but we're on our way to a really nice afternoon today. this morning, even colder than yesterday. we're at 39 in santa rosa. certainly feeling that mid-november chill 47 right now in hayward. good morning. we're at 40 and san ramon, take the winter jacket with you, but we'll take this beautiful view from the tam cam. a live look outside. we have great visibility and we can see well down into the south bay, off in the horizon. s

u.n. plaz. plaza. it includes a skate park, outdoor fitness center and rock climbing wall. all a pilot program which could be part of a bigger solution as the city combats drug addiction and crime. a reopening ceremony is set for wednesday morning of morning. a warning from sebastopol. this is a wolf hybrid. a wolf that has bred with a dog. it looks a lot like a small wolf. it's dark gray with yellow eyes. several agencies responded. we're not able to find that animal. anyone who spots it is asked to call law enforcement immediately and be able to describe where exactly it was spotted. >>> dia de los muertos celebrations continued across the bay this weekend. looks fun >>> redwood city today, the vibrant sights and founds filled courthouse square. there were traditional dancers, musicians, altars, food, and a procession. the event was organized bit san mateo county history museum. and friends of the redwood city library. >>> let's talk about the weather right now. live look over oakland tonight. camera lens seems dry. is the road wet? i think there were showers across the b

. >>> happening now, san francisco is celebrating the grand repping of the u.n. plaza event.ank helps you get and stay ahead. that's the bmo effect. ♪ bmo ♪ diabetes can serve up a lot of questions, like, "what is your glucose?" and "can you have more carbs?" before you decide... with the freestyle libre 2 system know your glucose level and where it's headed. no fingersticks needed. manage your diabetes with more confidence. and lower your a1c. the number one doctor prescribed cgm. freestyle libre 2. try it for free at freestylelibre.us >>> this morning on the third hour of "today," heading home. washington, d.c.'s beloved pandas are leaving the u.s. today. >> it's a little bit heartbreaking to not have them here. >> inside their long journey back to china and the emotional sendoff from zookeepers and panda fans.

the disabled, the the poor, they lip service but they don't deliver and one example would be the u.n. plaza which i think was a disgrace. but this is an agrecious example and i urge you to support the ordinance. >> thank you for your comments. next speaker, please. good afternoon, supervisor. i just wanted to say i support the ordinance introduced by safai and peskin. people of all ages and physical ability to come enjoy that access. when i walk my dog down that way, i always see that people are congregated in that area, much more than any other part of the marina green. i think it's very important to the city. >> thank you for your comments. next speaker. >> speaker: good afternoon, i'm jake, and first i want to say i'm impressed how quickly the city cleaned for the apac. i want to welcome back the supervisors that visited japan, only to find out what we've been saying, education is best when not ran by racist. now since supervisor are taking trips at taxpayers expense, i want you to visit to el salvador and see the drug dealers that went to poison the population. there is something i want

the disabled, the the poor, they lip service but they don't deliver and one example would be the u.n. plaza which i think was a disgrace. but this is an agrecious example and i urge you to support the ordinance. >> thank you for your comments. next speaker, please. good afternoon, supervisor. i just wanted to say i support the ordinance introduced by safai and peskin. people of all ages and physical ability to come enjoy that access. when i walk my dog down that way, i always see that people are congregated in that area, much more than any other part of the marina green. i think it's very important to the city. >> thank you for your comments. next speaker. >> speaker: good afternoon, i'm jake, and first i want to say i'm impressed how quickly the city cleaned for the apac. i want to welcome back the supervisors that visited japan, only to find out what we've been saying, education is best when not ran by racist. now since supervisor are taking trips at taxpayers expense, i want you to visit to el salvador and see the drug dealers that went to poison the population. there is something i want

u.n. escape, plaza escape pilot. the new pavilion and entry improvements which are under construction and the greenway which is being developed as the tenderloin action plan. so we know some of the challenges that this area faces as we walk around. >> we have the better market street plan under construction. they're working with the business association and foundation mid-market community district and other organizations to support regular programs in public spaces. and to make existing new outdoor events easier by reducing barriers to host the events. and the ground floors we're supporting a creation and implementation of market street plan applying tactical, celebrating xwrand opening, holidays and other cultural relevant support and supporting other temporary needs by allowing signage and video and art installation in store front windows. and then as public realm, ground floor activation strategies and live in the pedestrian experience, transition upper floor uses can bring more energy to the area. so this enables

u.n. escape, plaza escape pilot. the new pavilion and entry improvements which are under construction and the greenway which is being developed as the tenderloin action plan. so we know some of the challenges that this area faces as we walk around. >> we have the better market street plan under construction. they're working with the business association and foundation mid-market community district and other organizations to support regular programs in public spaces. and to make existing new outdoor events easier by reducing barriers to host the events. and the ground floors we're supporting a creation and implementation of market street plan applying tactical, celebrating xwrand opening, holidays and other cultural relevant support and supporting other temporary needs by allowing signage and video and art installation in store front windows. and then as public realm, ground floor activation strategies and live in the pedestrian experience, transition upper floor uses can bring more energy to the area. so this enables