Hasbro Close to Deciding Boston or Rhode Island for Headquarters

It’s unclear if an offer of land in the 1-195 District will convince the company to stay in Rhode Island

Hasbro world headquarters in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
The former Hasbro headquarters in Providence. The company is now headquartered in Pawtucket.
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Hasbro world headquarters in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
The former Hasbro headquarters in Providence. The company is now headquartered in Pawtucket.
Alamy Stock Photo
Hasbro Close to Deciding Boston or Rhode Island for Headquarters
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Can an almost-free offer for a prime riverfront parcel in Providence’s long-touted, semi-developed I-195 District compete with the razzle-dazzle of new-money energy in Boston’s Seaport District?

That’s the choice facing Hasbro, the venerable Pawtucket-based toymaker-turned-entertainment company, as it narrows in on a future home.

Rhode Island’s effort to retain the headquarters of Hasbro is seen by some as a “jump ball” with Massachusetts.

The Boston Business Journal reported this week that Hasbro is getting closer to reaching a decision and that one location under consideration is in Boston’s Seaport District.

In November, the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission approved a binding resolution offering Hasbro an acre of riverfront land near downtown Providence for $1. It’s the same land once targeted for a controversial skyscraper by New York developer Jason Fane.

Marc Crisafulli, chairman of the commission, declined a request for comment Tuesday.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

The state expects the project to cost up to $427 million, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said.
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