It’s a ’51 Chevrolet 1-ton panel truck, fully furnished for supporting both rescue crew and victims. She was ahead of her time, rivaled only by the equipment held by some large-city departments. The project was funded (think like $3,000, which covered the truck, materials, and equipment) by the Turlock Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the truck was dedicated on August 12, 1954 for use by the Turlock Fire Department.

The city sent out a request for developer qualifications Wednesday -- opening a screening process for developers to rehabilitate Fire Station No. 1 at 116 W. Cedar St. The 60-year-old, 15,000-square-foot building was used as the fire marshal's office and a Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety training facility until it was transferred to the city's Brownfield Redevelopment Authority in 2009.

Redevelopment Project Manager Sarah Jo Shipley said the property has had interest from developers in the past, but no plans came to fruition. Around eight parties have contacted the city's Economic Development Department recently, which spurred the invitation.