Preliminary work is underway at the Public Place site between Smith Street and the Gowanus Canal, with residents already expressing concern about safety precautions during the cleanup of the highly contaminated site. On March 31, representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Mayor’s Office of Environmental Coordination and KeySpan/National Grid will make a presentation to Community Board 6. Topics will include the level of environmental contamination, remediation plans for the site and the next steps in the cleaning process. The meeting will take place at 6:30PM at Long Island College Hospital, which is at 339 Hicks Street in Conference Rooms A+B. People living near the site are concerned that was work has started before their questions have been answered.