The board of the performing arts center planned for ground zero has scuttled the design for the building by Frank Gehry, the project’s original architect, and will instead select a design from a field of three finalists.

“We’re in the process of selecting a new architect,” said John E. Zuccotti, the real estate developer who is the chairman of the arts center’s board. “Three architectural firms are being considered.”

Officials at the Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center said they were not ready to name the finalists but confirmed that the list did not include Mr. Gehry.