Several Pensacola residents used the city's Leroy Boyd Forum on Aug. 14 to urge City Council and the mayor to keep moving forward on the Chappie James (often rendered "Chappie") Memorial Plaza project.

Speakers described the plaza as a locally significant memorial to Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James Jr., the first African American four-star general, and asked council to preserve the project's current design and continue negotiations with the memorial foundation.

C.J. Charles, identifying himself as a lifelong Pensacola resident and an advocate for the memorial, said the project had taken too long and that continued delay could mean the sculptor would not live to see completion. "Chappie James is probably Pensacola's most noted African American citizen," Charles told the council. "This is a project that had been in the process for a long time. There's no way that this should take this long."

Several other speakers, including Diane P. Robinson and Gloria Horning, echoed the call to find funding and complete the memorial. Robinson asked the city to "please consider keeping the plans for this Chappie James Memorial Plaza as is, and continue to move forward on the project." Horning said the city should "salute the veterans that were on the front lines for 40 plus years. You can find the money."

Council Member Broughton asked several speakers what prompted them to appear; C.J. Charles said he had seen media reports that the city was considering dropping the project. In response, Mayor D.C. Reeves said the prior agreement governing city support had been drafted to expire June 30 and that it lapsed without the funding stack being finalized. The mayor said city staff are meeting with foundation representatives and that the city remains "ready and willing" to continue the same trajectory once the funding strategy is clear. He said Captain Kitsila (staff) and city staff have scheduled meetings with foundation representatives and a representative of state Rep. Salzman had been assisting.

No formal action was taken by council at the meeting; the mayor's office described the current status as a lapse of the earlier agreement and an open invitation to resume negotiations once the funding structure is defined.

Speakers thanked the council and emphasized that the memorial is part of Pensacola's history and community identity. Council members acknowledged the speakers and said staff would continue discussions with the foundation.