Scrolling though online news, two headlines drew my attention. The first is a disagreement about the use of a large indoor, covered space in the old mall. A place to store stuff wants to use it (“Augusta councilors reject revised plan for storage business at former Kmart site,” Jan. 20).

The second is a photo essay about homeless people living in tents down by the river during winter. With nothing to store. (“Michael G. Seamans: Life on Waterville island featured hard living, and comfort to those in need,” Jan. 13)

Is there a common-sense compromise here?

Let’s do this. Open up the old Kmart as an “overnight job search center.” Offer the store frontage as a space for local outdoor boiler companies to show off and test their product, while donating heat. The garage bays would be suitable for an porta potty company to set up shop, also to test and market its latest equipment.

Would it be out of the question for an internet company to have visible business space for a chance to provide Wi-Fi to the homeless for job searches?

With a simple design, a place where anybody can get indoors would be valuable. One place, for shelter, and maybe even some hope. Even if it’s temporary.

Corey Rubchinuk

Winthrop