RALEIGH, N.C. — Ex-Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach may be throwing a pass into the Triangle real estate market.

Staubach's commercial real estate company is talking about turning a rundown Triangle landmark into a commercial mecca.

Three years ago, auctioneers moved in as the Bobby Murray family decided to sell the Plantation Inn. Two years ago, a developer dropped the ball on a deal to remake the inn and it remains on the market.

Connecting Interstate 540 to Capital Boulevard changed the landscape and made the piece of real estate ripe for commercial redevelopment.

Most of the growth so far has come in the form of weeds, but that could change.

Staubach Retail Services is exploring the possibilities of putting a 600,000-square-foot shopping center in its place. The company, and several Triangle developers, said it is not a done deal, but the NFL Hall of Famer is trying to make it happen.

"There are a lot of fine old buildings just going to hell in a handbasket," photographer Tom McClancy said.

McClancy is a freelance photographer documenting historic, abandoned North Carolina buildings. The Plantation Inn, with its 60 years of weddings, special occasions -- and now monstrous weeds -- piqued his interest.

"It speaks of death, it speaks of the passing of things," McClancy said. "I'm personally hoping for a resurrection of this fine building."

That resurrection may be as simple as dropping back in the pocket and making the right real estate deal.

Staubach's spokesperson said the group will probably have an announcement on the property deal in 30 days.