Ronkonkoma residents got a close-up look and gave feedback on a $2.8 billion redevelopment plan proposed to be built in their community.

Residents gathered at the Lakeland Fire Department Monday to view images of the plan that includes a sports arena, convention center and a 300-room hotel.

Developers say the Midway Crossing development would take 10 to 15 years to complete.

The project would be built on almost 180 acres of county- and town-owned land, including parts of MacArthur Airport and a Long Island Rail Road parking lot.

People in favor of the plan say it will bring jobs and tax revenue, but others are worried it will put a strain on the hamlet.

Gregg Freedner, a lifelong Ronkonkoma resident, says he is worried about too much sprawl in his community.

"We're concerned this is going to overload our community, and then that will lead to flight. A lot of residents will not like the traffic, will not like the negatives that come from this. The traffic, we know is going to be worse," Freedner says. “Then will it then lead to people leaving and then the community will start to suffer."

John Cameron, the project engineer, says the hope is that this community will benefit from the proposed project.

“The reason Ronkonkoma was chosen is, frankly, it is the best transit served development site in New York state,” he says.

Cameron says the proposed development would include a 180,000-square-foot sports and entertainment complex with indoor and outdoor venues, a 300,000-foot convention center, 300 room hotel and a 1 million-square-foot life sciences center.

The people at the first open house for the proposed project got to see what it might look like, ask questions about the project and give their feedback.

Another open house will be held at the firehouse July 21 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.