Running from Rainey Street near Gainesville High School to E.E. Butler Parkway near Queen City Parkway, West Avenue cuts a central, connecting vein through the heart of Gainesville. Although the street connects major arteries of the city, some say it’s a place better to avoid after a string of violent slayings marred the reputation of what was once considered a safe, quiet area to live, residents said. “That was quite shocking,” said longtime resident and Gainesville City Councilman George Wangemann.