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.
Alamy Stock Photo
Share
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
Copy

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 bottom line is that we are receiving more and more coastal erosion and flooding. What can we do to prepare us?’
The administration is also working to establish guidelines for a discount rate for low- and moderate-income customers
$350K fund would be set up to compensate state employees impacted in ransomware attack
Members of the state’s congressional delegation warn likely cuts could be devastating
With a legal maneuver, town avoids having to build 252 apartments despite legislative push to alleviate Rhode Island’s housing crunch