There has been a big shakeup in Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien’s administration.

Ryan Holt, who was Grebien’s chief of staff for more than a year, recently left the administration to pursue other opportunities. He hasn’t announced a new job, and Grebien has not yet filled the role, according to Grace Voll, Pawtucket’s communications director.

It’s a blow for Pawtucket because Holt has the rare skill of understanding how to navigate local and state politics while remaining universally liked no matter who he’s working for and what he’s doing. 

The move also comes as Pawtucket leaders prepare for what is likely to be an emotional spring. My colleague Ed Fitzpatrick has a great story today about the demolition of McCoy Stadium and the soon-to-open pro soccer pitch.

Hasbro is expected to make its decision about whether to move its headquarters to Boston, Providence, or build a new office in what used to be the Apex building. Grebien’s administration hasn’t loved the way state leaders handled the Hasbro situation, in part because Providence has become the primary focus for keeping Hasbro in Rhode Island.

On the bright side, Rhode Island FC will play its first home game on May 3 in a brand new stadium that Grebien believes will revitalize the city. While the stadium was expensive, the city expects thousands of new visitors for every home game, along with concerns and other events that are planned.

The bigger picture: It’s no secret that Pawtucket has taken a beating in recent years. The loss of the PawSox to Worcester is still fresh on residents’ minds. But the city has an enthusiastic group of stakeholders who remain bullish about the future.

Aside from Grebien, Pawtucket Foundation executive director Gaetan Kashala and his board co-chairs Dan Sullivan Jr. from Collette Travel and Jeremy Duffy from The Guild are constantly pitching the city as a destination for businesses and entertainment. (Unlike too many of Providence’s business leaders, they’d rather promote their city than complain about it.)

Not to mention, Channel 10’s Alison Bologna has become one of Pawtucket's best cheerleaders after doing a remarkable job revitalizing an old mill building on Pine Street for her Shri Yoga studio. If you haven’t visited, it’s worth checking out.

The next question for Grebien is whether he’ll take a run at statewide office – possibly lieutenant governor – next year. The Democrat was elected mayor in 2010, but if the new stadium is a hit, 2026 might be his best opportunity to jump to the next level.