About The

MYEC

OUR HISTORY

The Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex is a tangible symbol of the will to peaceful activism among east Austin youth. The project was born of blood, tears and the hope of peace. Late one evening in 1992, a group of teens was laughing and talking on 11th and Chicon, an east Austin street corner, when a passing car slowed and shots shattered the night. Sixteen-year-old Tamika Ross lay dead in the aftermath.

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Soon after, a small group of concerned youth, lead by Jennifer Cole-Doyle and Michael Bryant, began meeting with then Council Member Charles Urdy to explore ways to reduce youth violence by providing wholesome entertainment alternatives. After a number of meetings, the entertainment complex was conceived as a fun, exciting and safe gathering place for Austin's young people. The project was guided by a City Council-appointed Advisory Board, one of whose members Juan Cotera, a fervent teen peace activist, was killed in 1996.

Eric Mitchell, the current Council Member, secured federal funding from HUD to build the 55,000 square foot indoor family entertainment center featuring a 154-seat movie theater, 16 bowling lanes, roller skating rink, video arcade area, children's soft play area, and food court. The complex is owned by the City of Austin and managed by Leisure Management inc.; and dedicated to Tamika and Juan, and the hope and spirit and promise of peace.

MORE HISTORY

Originally named the Central City Entertainment Center this facility opened in June 1999.

Following a citywide contest, the facility was renamed the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex by Stephanie Pena, an East Austin resident. The Millennium was built on the former site of the Rosewood Shopping Center in East Austin as a safe place for East Austin youth to go. Support for the facility came first from a group of young people, and the Promise Keepers (community leaders and concerned citizens). In addition to serving as a great place for youth to skate, bowl, play video games, or have birthday parties, the Millennium also hosts special events, job fairs, private receptions, and movie festivals.

PROMISE KEEPERS

Pharr Andrews

Ray Ates

Karen Box

Michael Bryant

Jenniffer Cole-Doyle

Robert Donnelly

Akwasi Evans

Gavino Fernandez

Rev. Frank Garrett

Vera Givens

Carol Hadnot

Saboor A. Hameed

Thomas Henderson

Larry Jackson

Rev. Sterling Lands II

Jan Lawson

Btron C. Marshall

Donnetta McCall

Eric Mitchel

Meagan Mitchell

Kendall Moss

Min. Cedric Muhammad

Gus Pena

Stephanie Pena

Robin Roberts-Harven

Velma Roberts

Christopher Smith

Dorothy Turner

Dr. Charles Urdy

Anthony White

Vanessa Woods

Tommy Wyatt

Austin-Rosewood Community Development Corporation Board Members:

• A.J. Bingham

• James Burns

• Quincy Dunlap

• Barry Franklin

• Frances Jordan

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• Dr. Deborah Taylor-King

• Ghislaine Jean

• Nelson Linder

• Dr. Courtney Robinson

Board of Advisory Directors, Vanessa Silas, Greg Smith

OUR REASON

The Millennium is owned by the City of Austin and managed by ASM Global, one of the world's largest entertainment facility management companies.

The Millennium is dedicated to Tamika Ross and Juan Cotera. Gerrell Jones designed the MYEC logo displayed on the right.
Stephanie Pena Touchstone won a written competition to name the facility and the name submitted, "The Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex" was her idea and was selected.