t’s a dirty job, but somebody — preferably a minority or a woman — has to do it.

To help that happen, Bruce Ratner is inviting “minority- and women-owned business enterprises” to an informational session to discuss bidding on initial construction at his proposed Atlantic Yards mega-development.

The outreach is part of the Ratner’s Atlantic Yards Community Benefits Agreemen under which 20 percent of the work (by dollar amount) is earmarked for minority-owned businesses and 10 percent for those owned by women.

The all-day session — on Tuesday, March 7 — will focus only on the $182-million reconstruction of the LIRR rail yards, which is a small, but vital, part of Ratner’s overall $3.5-billion arena, housing and commercial project, which is awaiting state approval and is in the middle of ongoing litigation.

Contractors will hear about opportunities in demolition, electrical, security, trucking, plumbing, cleaning, pouring concrete, asbestos abatement, excavation, trash removal, extermination, and track work.

Project opponents were far from excited. “I find it curious that [they] will be able to review plans for the rail yard that officially haven’t been” approved yet, said Jim Vogel, a Pacific Street resident. Registration for Tuesday’s session closes Monday.

©2006 Community Newspaper Group