Paul Allen is at it again: the Science Fiction Experience will open in 2004:

"Science fiction shows us that change is constant and exhilarating," said Microsoft co-founder Allen, who is funding the project.

Flanked by science fiction props such as Captain Kirk's original command chair from the "Star Trek" television series, classic science fiction books and movie banners, Allen said the $20 million nonprofit endeavor would provide "entertaining and thought-provoking exhibits" for visitors.

....Allen said he expects the Science Fiction Experience, which will be built in a newly vacated space within the EMP, to pull in 150,000 to 200,000 more visitors to the building every year.

Science fiction author Greg Bear of Seattle will chair an advisory board to the museum and said that such respect for the genre has been long overdue.

"Science fiction is one of the greatest untold stories of science and art today," said Bear, winner of two Hugo awards for novels such as "Eon" and "Queen of Angels."

Among the items on display will be a complete set of autographed first editions of the Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov, a collection of "Astounding Science Fiction" magazines and artwork depicting the future. [Reuters]