Demonstrators disrupt groundbreaking for Circa development in downtown Los Angeles

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A meeting over a $500 million downtown development was disrupted by a group of demonstrators who wanted to call attention to the lack of affordable housing in Los Angeles.

Mayor Eric Garcetti tried to address the group from the podium, asking demonstrators to listen to him. At the end of his speech, Garcetti walked up to the group and tried to address their concerns.

"The mayor has not ever, and definitely not now, had a clear articulation concerning a comprehensive strategy when it comes to homelessness," said Eddie Howard, a Skid Row activist.

The meeting in downtown Los Angeles was a ceremonial groundbreaking for Circa, a massive development which will include 648 luxury apartments in two 35-story towers. The property is located across the street from the Staples Center.

Circa will boast 1.6 million square feet of retail and residential space on what were once parking lots. It is one of dozens of large developments underway in a stretch of downtown Los Angeles from South Park to Little Tokyo.

Developers are planning to add 20,000 more apartments to the core of the city over the next five years.

Garcetti said that downtowns explosive growth will actually benefit Los Angeles residents, despite concerns about gentrification pushing out low-income residents.