The Bellevue Grand Connection is bustling with seasonal events, activities and destinations for Bellevue residents, visitors, and workers, especially in the summertime.
As the city comes alive this summer, the city, in partnership with the Friends of the Grand Connection, Visit Bellevue and the Bellevue Downtown Association is piloting an exciting smart technology to share the vision for the Grand Connection program and crossing with our community and learn more about what activities and programs community members want to see downtown. As you walk, bike or roll through the Grand Connection corridor, check out the new sidewalk decals and signage to learn more about all the happenings in Downtown and the city’s plans to transform our public spaces.
How it works
- Find a sign along the Grand Connection corridor featuring Belle the Bobcat. The signs can be found on sidewalks at various locations along the Grand Connection.
- Scan the QR code or send a text to the number provided to receive a greeting in a chosen language. Human-translated experiences will be available in Mandarin, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Spanish and Hindi.
- Receive a prompt, question or invitation to share feedback on topics unique to the location of the sign and nearby points of interest.
- Users can engage, comment or participate as much as they’d like. The system is designed to share fun facts, history or information to better acquaint community members with what’s happening along the corridor.
Why scan?
- Learn more about the city’s vision to connect the region through the heart of downtown Bellevue.
- Discover nearby attractions, events or destinations to explore your city.
- Share your ideas and feedback about what would make downtown a more active, lively, and welcoming place.
- Come back and keep learning. Belle is always collecting new information to share!
Keep an eye out for Belle the Bobcat as part of this community campaign through summer 2026. Scan and engage as often as you’d like or share feedback right away by joining the conversation today by texting “Hello DS1” to 1+425-484-8945. Standard text messaging rates apply. All messages are anonymous. For more info visit hlc.city/privacy-policy.
About the Grand Connection
The Grand Connection is Bellevue’s signature downtown placemaking initiative. This program functions as a series of cohesive and memorable spaces with pedestrian-focused experiences and initiatives throughout Bellevue’s thriving central business district.
With a length of over 1.5 miles, the Grand Connection begins at the waterfront of Lake Washington at Meydenbauer Bay Park, and winds through Old Bellevue and Downtown Park. It continues through Bellevue’s dynamic retail and civic-focused parts of downtown, across Interstate 405 and ultimately connects with the regional Eastrail in the Wilburton commercial area. Ultimately the Grand Connection will include a landmark piece of infrastructure over Interstate 405, influencing the land use patterns of the Wilburton commercial area and improving connectivity to downtown. At full operating potential, those who live, work and play in Bellevue will enjoy an iconic destination supported by open spaces, events and activation and improved access to recreation and active transportation options through the heart of the city.