A chain and a real estate agent’s sign are the only things marking a vacant lot on South Saratoga Street in the city’s core downtown.

But the unusual nature of the lot and the rarity of an empty downtown lot being for sale have made the property something of a curiosity among folks who spend time in the city’s central business district.

The lot is very narrow and is about a quarter of an acre. The same family has owned it since 1925, and it’s now technically owned by an estate, which is hoping to unload it, real estate agent Billy Chorey Sr. said.

What would the new owner do with it? “So far, we haven’t found that answer,” Chorey admitted.

Ideally, it would be a contiguous parcel for one of the two buildings between which it is situated — the Western Tidewater Community Services Board or the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 5. Chorey said he has approached both entities.

“That would be the ideal user,” he said.

Barring that, the lot is zoned in the central business district and could be a small storefront, even though it has only 43 feet of frontage.

It could be a good opportunity for the right buyer, Chorey noted.

“There are not many lots in the core downtown for sale,” he said.

The asking price of $49,900 is slightly below the city’s assessment.