Slidell Advances Sale of Former Business Center Property to Textron Systems

City records show the Gause Boulevard site could be sold for at least $3.4 million, with space reserved for some continued municipal use.

The City of Slidell is moving forward with the sale of a city-owned property on Gause Boulevard to Textron Systems, according to council records outlining the proposed transaction.

Agenda documents for the April 14 City Council meeting identify the property as about 13.239 acres at 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040, 1044 and 1050 Gause Blvd. The buyer is listed as Textron Systems Corp. or its designee.

The property is part of the former Slidell Business Center, which city records say was acquired from the federal government in 1995. The ordinance says the site is no longer needed for public use, except for existing information technology and server infrastructure and occasional special events.

Under the proposed terms, the sale price could be no less than $3.4 million. The documents allow for certain deductions tied to closing costs and possible offsets for hazard-mitigation work requested by the buyer and approved by the city.

The ordinance also authorizes Mayor Randy Fandal to negotiate a leaseback for space needed to continue the city’s IT and server operations. It further allows the city to arrange future use of parts of the property for events, including Mardi Gras activities.

Council records show the measure was introduced March 10 and scheduled for a public hearing April 14. The agenda packet also included a technical amendment removing a duplicate line from the legal property description.

Textron has operated in Slidell for years. Earlier city ordinances show the company had leased office space at 1010 Gause Blvd. since 2007, when it was identified as Textron Marine and Land Systems. A separate 2025 ordinance authorized a new lease agreement for space at the same address.

The property sale comes as Textron expands its Louisiana operations. Louisiana Economic Development said the company plans a multi-site investment across southeast Louisiana, including work in Slidell. The state said the expansion is expected to create 133 new direct jobs and retain 761 existing positions statewide.

A television report published April 16 quoted Fandal as saying Textron had purchased the Gause Boulevard property and that the city had faced substantial maintenance costs at the site.

Why This Matters in Slidell

The sale involves a large tract on one of Slidell’s main commercial corridors, giving it added importance for residents, nearby businesses and city operations.

It also could shift maintenance costs away from the city while supporting continued expansion by one of Slidell’s established defense manufacturers.

Sources

City of Slidell, April 14, 2026 City Council agenda packet and attached ordinance Item No. 26-03-3630
City of Slidell Ordinance No. 4072
City of Slidell Ordinance No. 4239
Louisiana Economic Development / Opportunity Louisiana
Textron Systems corporate materials
Fox 8 report quoting Mayor Randy Fandal