Raleigh’s J.S. Dorton Arena, the midcentury landmark on the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, is on deck for a careful refresh that aims to pull the venue into today’s competitive events market without messing with its instantly recognizable silhouette. A local developer is floating a renovation plan meant to lure more concerts, sporting events and corporate gatherings, all while keeping the arena’s signature cable‑supported roof and sweeping parabolic arches intact. For generations, the arena’s column‑free floor and saddle‑shaped roof have anchored the State Fair and become shorthand for Raleigh’s architectural identity. The proposal marks one of the city’s most high‑profile tests of how to balance historic preservation with the region’s growing appetite for live…..