Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend reaffirmed her support for several of Mayor Martin O'Malley's top priorities yesterday, one day after the mayor announced he won't challenge her in the Democratic primary for governor.

Speaking at the groundbreaking of the $70 million Centerpoint project on the west side of downtown Baltimore, Townsend pledged to work for increased state funding for drug treatment programs, a proposed biotech park near the Johns Hopkins medical complex and other city redevelopment efforts.

"We have an exceptional opportunity to soar in the new economy, but we can't do it if the biggest city in our state isn't soaring as well," she said.

The event was her first joint appearance with O'Malley since the mayor's announcement. The two appeared cordial but somewhat distant - exchanging handshakes, politely clapping during each other's speeches and standing side by side for press photos.

They agreed during a brief private exchange to "get together sometime soon," Townsend said.

In her remarks, she touched on many points O'Malley included in a list of the city's needs that he gave last month to Baltimore Del. Howard P. Rawlings, who passed it along to the lieutenant governor. Townsend aides said this week that she has long supported many of the requests on his list.

Both Townsend and O'Malley say that no deal was made to keep the mayor out of the campaign and that her support of his requests did not influence his decision. Townsend did not commit to specific dollar amounts yesterday for any city projects or programs.

She emphasized how much support the state has given to Baltimore during the Glendening-Townsend administration's two terms and said she wants to increase aid. "The success that we're building here can serve as a model for what we can do across the city and across the state," she said.

"With the same kind of partnership, we have the opportunity to transform the neighborhoods around Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Mayor, I will continue my efforts to ensuring we have the biotech park," Townsend said, stepping from the podium to shake O'Malley's hand.

The biotech park - to be built near the Johns Hopkins medical complex with as much as $200 million in public funding - has been one of O'Malley's top priorities.

Townsend also said she supports giving more state money to city schools, mass transit, drug treatment, public safety and after-school programs.

O'Malley, in his remarks at the groundbreaking, took a swipe at the administration for what he perceives to be a shortage of state aid to Baltimore - particularly compared to Montgomery County, Maryland's largest jurisdiction and one of its most wealthy.

"I can't tell you what the largest suburb did with their $23 million [in redevelopment aid], but with our $7 million, we took $4 million and put it with another approximately $20 million in economic development bonds, and we put it here," he said.

A Townsend spokesman said later that O'Malley's comparison to Montgomery wasn't fair because the county total includes several years of support to Silver Spring, while the $7 million figure represents just one year of aid to the city.

O'Malley, questioned by reporters after the event, stuck to the comments he made Wednesday despite Townsend's pledges to help the city. He again refused to specifically endorse Townsend but promised to back the "Democratic nominee."

"I have always said I will support the Democratic nominee," he said. "I will continue the very important work of being mayor."

Townsend dismissed any concerns about whether the mayor will back her candidacy, saying he will endorse her because "that's the way it works."

"I think we'll be able to work together just fine," Townsend said. "I think we're going to have a great partnership."

Last night, Townsend spoke at a Citizens Planning and Housing Association rally at the Baltimore Convention Center, urging support for more money for drug-treatment programs and for Smart Growth.

"Unless we build strong neighborhoods in our existing communities ... people are going to still go after that farmland," Townsend said.