Hi
jasonc
Yes, I agree. However, at the time it was built, that section of Hutchinson Island was probably little populated and considered the safest place to provide a buffer zone. I don't know, but it's a possibility. I'm sure the engineers looked at the entire area before deciding where to stick their shovel. The second consideration is the need for water. You are correct that there are air and water cooled facilities, but it's my understanding that the water cooled are more stable, should something occur.
Nuclear reactors come in many different shapes and sizes. Most are large enough to power major cities, and small reactors are being developed to complement them. Most use water to cool their cores, whilst others use gas or metals.
However, that could likely be that, at the time these current reactors were planned, it was easy to find cheap, abundant water resources.
God bless,
Ted