Austin City Council Approves $510,000 Budget Amendment for Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex Operations
The Austin City Council has approved a $510,000 budget amendment to support continued operations at the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex (MYEC), a 55,000-square-foot, City-owned facility that has served East Austin families for more than two decades.
The ordinance amends the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment Operating Budget (Ordinance No. 20250813-005) to increase revenue and appropriations by $510,000 for operations at the complex.
Where the $510,000 Comes From
According to meeting documents, the funding is not new taxpayer money.
The $510,000 reflects revenue generated directly by the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex through activities such as bowling, roller skating, facility rentals, and events. Since the City of Austin assumed direct operational responsibility for the complex on November 1, 2025, that earned revenue must be formally appropriated into the City’s operating budget to be used for ongoing expenses.
Under the previous operating model, a third-party operator retained the earned revenue to fund day-to-day operations. With the transition to City management, the revenue now flows to the City and required formal Council approval before being allocated back to the facility.
The Fiscal Note shows the amendment increases both revenue and department appropriations by $510,000 for FY 2025–2026, with no net budget impact beyond the current fiscal year.
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A Rosewood District Legacy
The Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex was constructed in 1999 on the former site of the Rosewood Shopping Center in East Austin. The project was a collaboration between the City of Austin, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Austin Rosewood Community Development Corporation (ARCDC).
The facility was funded through an $8,875,000 HUD Section 108 loan. To meet federal requirements, the Austin City Council created ARCDC in 1995 to oversee construction of the project. The City fully repaid the HUD loan in 2016.
Community leaders and residents — known as the “Promise Keepers” — worked diligently to bring the project to life and have continued to champion the Millennium as a staple of the Rosewood District.
The complex is dedicated to the memories of Tamika Ross (1976–1992) and Juan Cotera (1973–1996). While their deaths inspired the creation of the building, their legacy today represents hope for the future and the promise of peace in the surrounding community.
What the Millennium Offers
Today, MYEC remains one of Austin’s largest youth-focused recreation facilities. The 55,000-square-foot complex includes:
- 16 bowling lanes
- Roller skating rink
- Professional-grade basketball court
- Video arcade
- Movie theater
- Food court
Each year, the Millennium hosts thousands of patrons for community activities, fellowship, and commercial events. Beyond recreation, the venue routinely serves as a mega voting site, a resource distribution hub during severe weather events, and a meeting space for neighborhood planning sessions and town halls.
The mission of MYEC is to provide a safe, secure, and comfortable environment — free from drugs, gangs, crime, and violence — where families can enjoy affordable, high-quality recreational and entertainment opportunities.
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Looking Ahead
The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), in cooperation with ARCDC, is engaging MYEC stakeholders and community members as the City considers the future contractual relationship with ARCDC. The engagement process aims to develop a shared vision for the facility, identify key community interests, and inform any future management solicitation.
With Council’s approval of the $510,000 budget amendment, operations at the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex will continue uninterrupted through the remainder of the fiscal year — reinforcing its role as a longstanding community anchor in East Austin.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.