Residents had a chance to weigh in Thursday on the $1 billion proposal to redevelop Belmont Park as the new home of the New York Islanders.

Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen was one of the first to speak at the first public environmental meeting for the project.

“I do believe that it is very important that we have public transportation available and a comprehensive public transportation plan available in order to see this project succeed,” she said.

While some neighbors have already come out in support of the project, others like Werner Rudiger had questions they wanted answered before the blueprints become a reality.

PHOTOS: View the renderings of the new Belmont Park arena

“I want to be informed, because I'm the one, and everyone living in the village, are the ones who are going to suffer or benefit from this,” said Rudiger.

The environmental review is expected to take about a year to complete.

If all goes as planned, construction is expected to start next year.